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Indira Gandhi needs Rs.60 lakh cash, SBI Cashier received secret call in 1971


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Ved Prakash Malhotra reclined in his chair, feeling surprisingly at ease on this busy Monday morning at the bank. As the chief cashier of the State Bank of India’s Parliament Street branch, he had earned his position through years of hard work and dedication. Having joined the bank twenty-six years ago when it was still known as the Imperial Bank, Malhotra had steadily climbed the ranks, eventually reaching this prestigious role. At forty-six years old, he had spent a lifetime meticulously handling cash at the bank’s local head office, a historic building dating back to 1873. With his experience and reputation, he could afford to relax a little.

Little did Malhotra know that his life was about to take a dramatic turn on this fateful morning of May 24, 1971, at precisely 11:45 a.m.

Engaged in conversation with a client in his cabin, Malhotra was interrupted by the ringing of one of the three telephones on his desk. Recognizing the direct line, distinct from the bank’s exchange or intercom, he picked up the receiver. “Shri Haksar, secretary to the Prime Minister of India, wants to talk to you,” a voice on the other end informed him.

After a brief pause, another voice came on the line, claiming to be P.N. Haksar, the Prime Minister’s secretary. “I am the secretary to the PM speaking,” the voice declared. Malhotra greeted him with a respectful “Namaste” and asked, “What are your orders?”

The voice replied, “I need to discuss a highly confidential matter with you. If there is anyone present in your room, kindly ask them to leave.” Malhotra glanced at the man sitting across from him and placed his hand on the receiver. “Please wait outside,” he politely requested. “I have an important call to attend to.” The man, Mathura Das, a retired honorary magistrate of Delhi and a long-time client, was taken aback by Malhotra’s unusual behavior. Malhotra sensed his client’s unease but had no choice. He apologized, touched Das’s knee, and explained, “I am embarking on a crucial mission of national importance.”

With Das outside the glass cabin, Malhotra resumed the call, assuring the person on the other end that there were no other individuals in the room. What followed were cryptic instructions, reminiscent of a thrilling espionage tale, enough to pique Malhotra’s curiosity and awaken his long-suppressed feelings of patriotism.

“The Prime Minister of India requires Rs 60 lakh for a highly confidential task. She will send a representative, and you must hand over the money to them,” the person conveyed.

Malhotra inquired whether he should expect a check or a receipt for the transaction. The voice replied curtly, “This is an urgent and secret assignment. The Prime Minister’s orders are clear. The receipt or check will be provided later.” Further instructions followed in a brisk tone. “Transport the money in a van to the Free Church. It needs to be sent to Bangladesh via an air force plane. This work is of utmost urgency and must remain undisclosed. You should come promptly.” Malhotra, who had never encountered such a situation in his lengthy banking career, stuttered, “This is an incredibly challenging task.”

“Then you should speak directly to Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi,” the voice retorted. Within moments, Malhotra found himself conversing with the Prime Minister herself. He could hardly believe his luck. The new voice wasted no time and got straight to the point. “As my secretary has informed you, Rs 60 lakh is urgently required in Bangladesh for a crucial secret operation. Prepare the money swiftly. I will send my courier. Hand over the money to them at the location provided by Haksar.” Now confident that he was speaking directly to Indira Gandhi, Malhotra felt a wave of relief washing over him. “How will I identify the courier?” he asked. “The person will use code words and say, ‘I am Bangladesh ka babu.’ You should respond with, ‘I am Bar-at-Law.’ That way, you will know they are my courier. Follow their instructions accordingly,” the Prime Minister explained. “After delivering the money, come directly to my residence, and you will receive a receipt.”

For years, Malhotra, a victim of the Partition and a migrant, had yearned for an opportunity to contribute to his nation. However, circumstances had never aligned, and he had dedicated himself to his unremarkable yet steady bank job. Now, fate had presented him with a chance to redeem himself in his own eyes.

Though the task ahead was uncertain, how many people had ever received direct orders from the Prime Minister? Malhotra would later describe himself as “spellbound” after speaking to Indira Gandhi. Time was of the essence, and he couldn’t afford to waste any. Rising from his chair, the chief cashier stepped out of his cabin, only to find Das waiting outside, clearly upset about being asked to leave. Sensing the older man’s hurt feelings, Malhotra apologized, touched Das’s knee, and explained, “I am embarking on an important mission of national significance.”

3 Comments

  1. Malhotra was quite innocent.Due to his Patriotic feelings he was easily defrauded by Nagarwala. Indra Gandhi has no role in it. By Malhotra’s cleverness the Nagarwala was arrested & money recovered. But due to uproar in Parliament, to save her political carrier she preferred to punish Malhotra for his Patriotism. He was removed from service & his pension funds were not released.Justice was denied.

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