Investors in the lurch after bank agent dies of Covid in Rajkot

RAJKOT: Death of a collection agent for Gondal Mercantile Cooperative Society (GMCS) in Gondal town of Rajkot has unearthed what could be scam of lakhs of rupees of investors, mostly daily wagers.
According to police, after collection agent of GMCS, Ketan Bhalala, succumbed to Covid-19 a month ago, worried daily investors flocked to the bank to inquire about their deposits. However, much to their horror, the bank officials denied having any such deposits made by deceased Bhalala.
“On Thursday evening, many people who were investing their daily savings through Ketan Bhalala into the bank came to us and demanded a probe in this case. It seems a large number of people were investing their money through Bhalala who was a bank agent. To get an idea about who siphoned off the money, we will also question the bank manager who must have knowledge about the amount,” Sanjaysinh Jadeja, police inspector, Gondal town told TOI.
Jadeja, however, refused to divulge how much money has been lost by investors saying that it would be difficult to speculate the amount of hand till all those who lost their investments approach the police with complaints.