The Thana Bhawan police have arrested Anil Sonkar, the former branch manager of the Oriental Bank of Commerce (now Punjab National Bank), in connection with a fraud case. He was apprehended while dining at a Punjabi Dhaba near Hind Chowki on Thana Bhawan-Shamli Road. The accused has been sent to jail following his arrest.
Background of the Case
In 2021, Vijay Pratap, a resident of Nojal village in Thana Bhawan area, lodged a complaint at the local police station against Anil Sonkar, accusing him of misappropriating Rs 5 lakh. According to the complaint, Vijay had given the cash to Anil Sonkar to clear his bank loan. However, the money was not deposited in the loan account. Instead, Anil allegedly issued a fake no dues certificate to Vijay while keeping the amount for himself, leaving the loan outstanding in Vijay’s name.
Ongoing Allegations
At the time of the complaint, multiple fraud cases involving financial mismanagement and irregularities were reported against Anil Sonkar, who was the branch manager of Oriental Bank of Commerce at the Thana Bhawan branch before its merger with Punjab National Bank. Following these accusations, the manager went into hiding and had been absconding since then.
Police Action
Acting on a tip-off, the police team led by Inspector Virendra Kasana apprehended Anil Sonkar while he was having a meal at the dhaba. The arrest marks a significant step in resolving the pending fraud cases.
Next Steps
The accused has been taken into custody and sent to jail. Further investigations are underway to uncover any additional irregularities linked to his tenure as a bank manager.
Conclusion
This arrest underscores the importance of accountability in financial institutions and offers hope for justice to victims of fraud like Vijay Pratap. The police’s swift action has been appreciated by the community.
