ICICI Bank Employee in Hanumangarh Caught in Rs.54 Lakh Fraud Involving Fake Gold Loans

A shocking case of fraud has come to light from ICICI Bank’s Bhadra branch in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan. Manish Kumar Soni, a bank employee, is accused of stealing customers’ gold jewellery that had been deposited with the bank for gold loans. He then used fake gold and fake documents to take new loans from other gold finance companies.

In total, the fraud is estimated to be worth around ₹54 lakh.

How Was the Fraud Done?

According to the police, Manish used a clever but illegal trick. He would:

• Take genuine gold jewellery deposited by customers in the bank.
• Replace it with fake gold jewellery in the bank records.
• Use the stolen real gold to apply for gold loans from other finance institutions.
• He even passed fake gold loans within the bank by showing imitation gold as real in the documents.

This entire scam was carried out with the help of his associates.

Where Did the Money Go?

After getting money from the fake gold loans, Manish and his partner Ranjan Kumar reportedly spent a large amount of it on cricket betting. Police say that this addiction to betting may have pushed them to commit such a large financial crime.

Police Investigation and Arrest

The matter was taken very seriously by the police. Acting on the orders of Bikaner Range IG and Hanumangarh SP Janesh Tanwar (RPS), an investigation was launched. The Bhadra Police Station team, led by SHO Bhoop Singh Saharan, arrested Manish Kumar Soni.

During questioning, Manish revealed all the details of the fraud. Based on his statements, the police also arrested Ranjan Kumar, his associate.

Who Are the Accused?

• Manish Kumar Soni (33 years) – Son of Sundarlal Soni, resident of Ward No. 11, Indira Colony near Karni Mata Mandir, Bhadra.
• Ranjan Kumar (42 years) – Son of Madanlal Mahipal Mahajan, resident of Ward No. 20, Naya 29, Bhadra.

Police Team Behind the Arrest

The arrests were made by a team consisting of:

• CI Bhoop Singh Saharan
• Constable Subhash
• Constable Madanlal

CI Saharan confirmed that more people may be involved, and investigations are ongoing. If others are found guilty, they too will be arrested soon.