Jammu, June 28: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Jammu, has registered a case under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC following receipt of complaints forwarded through Crime Headquarters J&K by the Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K, alleging large-scale financial irregularities in J&K Grameen Bank.
The complaints, lodged by the Chief of Audits, Inspection and Vigilance, J&K Grameen Bank, relate to alleged fraudulent activities at the Bank's Kaluchak and Surankote branches.
During an internal enquiry, it was found that at Branch Office Kaluchak, 58 loan accounts under 15 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and two Cash Credit Limit accounts were allegedly opened and operated fraudulently without the knowledge or consent of the concerned account holders, resulting in a suspected fraud of approximately ₹42 lakh.
It was further revealed that around ₹12 lakh was allegedly diverted to bank accounts reportedly maintained in the name of the deceased Senior Manager, Bhagwan Singh Saini, while the remaining loan amounts were allegedly withdrawn through ATMs.
The enquiry also disclosed that a Daily Wager engaged at the branch had admitted to utilizing loan proceeds of ₹2 lakh in one JLG (Joint Liability Groups) account for personal use, following which recovery was affected in two accounts.
In a separate complaint relating to Branch Office Surankote, allegations have been made against Branch Head Rohit Kumar and others regarding unauthorized transactions and debits amounting to ₹7.37 lakh, besides fraudulent sanction and withdrawal of loans worth approximately ₹19 lakh through five fake loan accounts allegedly opened without the knowledge or consent of the borrowers. The accounts were subsequently shown as settled/closed, reportedly to reconcile the branch's cash position.
On the basis of the complaints and the findings of the Preliminary Verification, which disclosed a prima facie commission of cognizable offences, Police Station Crime Branch (EOW) Jammu has registered a case under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC against Rohit Kumar and other suspected persons for in-depth investigation.
SSP Crime Branch (EOW) Jammu Faisal Qureshi has appealed to the general public to report such cases so that the culprits are brought to justice.
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