Punjab National Bank (PNB) has suspended it’s employees in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh in around Rs.2 crore fraud.
The bank has suspended former Branch Manager Shirish Bisht, Jaybir Singh, and bank employee Mohit Verma with immediate effect. The action was taken based on the findings of an inquiry committee.
The bank has also transferred Satish, who worked as a cashier at the branch between 2020 and 2025, along with two other employees.
On June 4, local residents gathered at the Punjab National Bank branch and protested. They alleged that Ankur Saini, who operated the bank’s generator and claimed to be a Bank Mitra (banking correspondent), collected money from customers but did not deposit it into their accounts. He is also accused of misleading customers into withdrawing money from their accounts.
The fraud is estimated to be around ₹2 crore and is believed to have affected nearly 250 people. On June 12, the police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by Branch Manager Manvendra. The accused, Ankur Saini, was arrested on June 18.
Affected customers are demanding a detailed investigation into the role of bank officials and the return of their money.
A departmental inquiry led by Deputy Circle Head Radheshyam Laldas found possible involvement of bank officials and employees in the fraud. The Circle Head said the inquiry raised serious questions about how Ankur Saini, who was not a bank employee, was allowed to collect money and handle customer transactions for such a long time under the supervision of bank officials.
He said that from Wednesday, affected customers would be called to the branch to verify the facts. If the claims are found to be true during the inquiry, the bank will return the lost money to all affected customers.
The bank management has assured that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty in the case.
The fraud cases by Business Correspondents in Banks are increasing day by day. A few days ago account holders created a chaos at the Bank of Baroda branch located inside the Shakuntala Misra Rehabilitation University campus on Mohan Road, Para in Lucknow. They alleged that bank employees were involved in a fraud of more than ₹10 crore.
More than 30 customers locked the main gate of the branch, staged a protest, and disrupted banking operations.
They allege that the business correspondent (BC/Bank Mitra) took lakhs of rupees from them in the name of FDs but did not process the FDs. Click here to read this news.
