Axis Bank Cashier Arrested for Rs 31 Lakh Embezzlement in Customer’s Account in Sirsa
Hisar police have arrested Sahil Kalra, a cashier at Axis Bank’s Barwala branch, on charges of embezzling ₹31.04 lakh from a customer’s account. Kalra, a resident of Patel Nagar in Hisar, was apprehended after an investigation revealed his role in the fraudulent transaction. He was presented before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.
The embezzlement case centers around a forged cheque allegedly used by Kalra and his accomplice, Yogesh Babbar, to siphon off the funds. The victim, identified as Somnath, is a customer of the Barwala branch. The fraud came to light during a routine audit conducted by the bank’s manager, who noticed discrepancies in the account. The bank promptly lodged a complaint at the Barwala Police Station on July 17, 2023.
Babbar, Kalra’s alleged partner in the crime, had already been arrested earlier in the case. Following Babbar’s arrest, investigators continued to probe the incident, uncovering evidence of Kalra’s involvement. Sub-Inspector Rajbir Singh led the investigation, which revealed that Kalra had exploited his position as a bank cashier to facilitate the unauthorized withdrawal of ₹31.04 lakh.
Details of the Fraud
According to preliminary police reports, the duo used a fraudulent cheque to withdraw the funds from Somnath’s account. It remains unclear how they obtained access to the cheque or the account details, but investigators are exploring the possibility of insider knowledge being used to commit the fraud.
During questioning, Kalra admitted to aiding Babbar in executing the transaction. The forged cheque was processed without raising immediate suspicion, but the irregularities were detected during the bank’s internal audit.
Legal Proceedings
After his arrest, Kalra was produced before a court in Hisar. The court ordered his remand to judicial custody for 14 days. Police officials stated that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts underway to trace the entire trail of funds and identify whether additional individuals were involved in the scheme.
Police Statement
A spokesperson for the Hisar police confirmed the developments, stating, “Preliminary investigations indicate that Sahil Kalra played a key role in facilitating the fraudulent transaction. We are also examining whether there are other accomplices involved in the crime. Further investigations are in progress to determine the full extent of the embezzlement.”
The case has raised concerns over internal security protocols at financial institutions, particularly those involving sensitive customer accounts. Axis Bank has not yet issued a public statement on the matter but is believed to be cooperating with the police investigation.
Impact on the Victim
The customer, Somnath, whose account was targeted, has reportedly expressed concerns over the safety of his funds and the bank’s accountability. Local authorities have assured him that efforts are being made to recover the stolen amount.
Broader Implications
This case has highlighted the vulnerabilities in banking operations, especially in handling sensitive customer information and transactions. It also raises questions about how effectively financial institutions can safeguard against insider fraud and maintain customer trust.
The authorities are urging banks to strengthen their internal audits and monitoring systems to prevent such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigation to ensure justice is served and the stolen funds are recovered.
