Multi-crore bank scam: 2 land in vigilance net

Chandigarh: The Punjab vigilance bureau has arrested Satnam Singh and Sarabjit Singh Numberdar, both residents of Sarupwal village in Sultanpur Lodhi tehsil, for their alleged involvement in a multi-crore scam at the Sultanpur Lodhi branch of State Bank of Patiala – now State Bank of India.
A vigilance bureau spokesperson on Tuesday said the accused, in connivance with bank officials, private individuals, and officers/employees of the revenue department allegedly embezzled crores of rupees through fraudulent means.
The spokesperson said based on an investigation into a vigilance enquiry an FIR was lodged at the Vigilance Bureau Range, Jalandhar, police station on March 9, 2017 under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, along with Sections 13(1) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
"The investigation revealed that the accused, in collusion with the branch manager and other bank employees, as well as revenue officials, fraudulently obtained loans and credit limits, siphoning money from the treasury. The inquiry established that approximately Rs 3.71 crore was misappropriated through 14 loan files as of April 30, 2016," said the spokesperson.
"The case was registered against 33 individuals based on the vigilance inquiry. So far, 28 accused have been arrested, while three were declared absconders by the court. The vigilance bureau is actively working to apprehend the remaining accused," the spokesperson added.
PSPCL head cashier held for graft
The vigilance bureau on Wednesday apprehended Amrit Bhushan, posted as head cashier at the PSPCL office in Dinanagar in Gurdaspur district, for demanding and receiving a bribe of Rs 2,60,000. A vigilance bureau spokesperson said following the verification of a complaint, it was found that "the accused took a bribe of Rs 2,60,000 for shifting 11 KV electric lines. However, he never shifted the said power lines". A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at vigilance bureau police station, Amritsar Range.
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