The driver of cash van of Punjab National Bank Currency Chest in Saharanpur is missing. The driver has been missing since Saturday. The family has alleged that he may have been abducted by bank officials linked to the scam to prevent him from disclosing information to investigators.
Adarsh Kataria, a driver with the PNB currency chest for the past few years, left home after telling his family that he had been called to meet a senior official at the office.
His phone has been switched off since then, his father Shiv Prasad told police. In a written complaint to police, the father alleged that Adarsh had already been questioned by investigators and had co-operated by providing information that could help identify those responsible.
SP (city), Saharanpur, Vyom Bindal said, “Investigation is underway into the abduction allegations.”
The family alleged that a bank employee had called Adarsh. The same employee had also purchased two bikes worth Rs 4.90 lakh and Rs 2.70 lakh in Adarsh’s name in July. Furthermore, two shops and two plots are claimed to have been purchased in Adarsh’s name, but the bank employee himself is using them. The bank employee was in contact with officials and may have been involved in the embezzlement. It is suspected that the said funds may have been embezzled, which may have been used to purchase these properties and vehicles in his son’s name.
The development comes after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Amit Kumar, manager of the PNB currency chest at the Jagadhari branch in Haryana, from his brother-in-law’s house in Chandigarh on Monday night. He is named as one of the main accused in the FIR.
Officials said the agency is examining how the fake notes entered the currency chest. The case is being handled by NIA.
The disappearance of driver has added a new twist to the story. The police are investigating the case and more details will be released soon.
