PNB Officer sent to 3 years Jail by CBI Court
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A special CBI court in Lucknow has sentenced a former officer of Punjab National Bank (PNB) and a private individual in a bribery case dating back to 2013. The verdict was delivered by the Special Judge, CBI Court No. 04.
The two convicted individuals are:
- Bhupinder Singh Bhatiyani, who was working as an Officer (Scale-I) at PNB’s Usmanpur Branch in Barabanki, and
- Nitin Tiwari, a private individual.
What Were the Charges?
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case on October 8, 2013, based on a complaint that Bhupinder Singh Bhatiyani had demanded a bribe of ₹5,000 from a borrower. The bribe was allegedly demanded for increasing the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan limit from ₹35,000 to ₹75,000.
Following a detailed investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet on December 7, 2013 against both Bhatiyani and Tiwari.
After a lengthy trial, the court found both individuals guilty. CBI court ordered following punishments to both:
- Bhupinder Singh Bhatiyani:
- 3 years of rigorous imprisonment
- Fine of ₹1,10,000
- Nitin Tiwari:
- 6 months of simple imprisonment
- Fine of ₹10,000
Significance of the Case
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by the CBI and the judiciary to combat corruption in banking services, particularly in rural and agricultural lending. The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is a key government initiative aimed at providing timely credit to farmers, and cases of bribery undermine its purpose.
The conviction of a bank officer and a private individual in this matter sends a strong message about accountability and the consequences of corrupt practices.