Fake currency notes worth around ₹17 crore were found in the currency chest of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Saharanpur during a bank audit. The suspected fake notes were discovered when auditors checked the cash stored in the currency chest. Following the discovery, the bank suspended three officials on Monday and started an internal investigation.
CCTV Shows Housekeeper Removing Cash
During the investigation, CCTV footage from inside the currency chest reportedly showed part-time housekeeper Vishal Kumar removing cash from bundles of notes. The bank later terminated his services and filed a theft complaint against him for allegedly taking the money.
The case was registered at Sadar Bazaar police station based on a complaint filed by PNB Meerut Chief Manager and Investigating Officer Arun Kumar Choubey.
FIR Registered Against Four People
The FIR names four people: Senior Divisional Manager Ravi Kumar Kans, Currency Chest Manager Sushil Kumar, Currency Chest Manager Amit Kumar, who is posted in Yamunanagar-Jagadhri, and part-time housekeeper Vishal Kumar. The bank has suspended the three officials named in the case and started a departmental inquiry into the alleged irregularities.
Case Started After Cash Shortage Was Found
The matter initially came to light after a shortage was found in cash sent from the PNB currency chest in Saharanpur to Jaipur. A few days earlier, housekeeper Vishal Kumar had been assigned to arrange currency bundles worth around ₹11.50 crore at the PNB branch near Ghantaghar. The cash included soiled, mutilated and other types of currency notes. As per the procedure, the cash was sent to the RBI Currency Chest in Jaipur on August 5.
₹4.30 Lakh Found Missing
During the counting of the cash in Jaipur, officials found that ₹4,30,900 was missing. The matter was then reported to PNB officials in Meerut. Following the complaint, Chief Manager Arun Kumar Choubey was sent to Saharanpur to investigate the shortage. He and other bank officials examined CCTV footage installed inside the currency chest.
Audit Reveals Fake Notes Worth ₹17 Crore
The CCTV footage showed the housekeeper removing cash. The bank conducted a detailed audit of the currency chest on August 9. The audit team physically checked the cash and compared it with the bank’s records.
During the audit, the team discovered suspected counterfeit currency notes worth around ₹17 crore among the cash stored in the chest. The discovery of such a large amount of suspected fake currency raised serious concerns within the bank.
Three Bank Officials Suspended
Investigators questioned Senior Divisional Manager Ravi Kumar Kans, Currency Chest Manager Sushil Kumar and Currency Chest Manager Amit Kumar about how the suspected counterfeit notes entered the currency chest and remained there.
According to the investigating officer, the three officials could not give a satisfactory explanation. The matter was then reported to senior bank officials. PNB Chief Manager Nisha Singh said the bank suspended all three officials after the irregularities came to light. She also said that a departmental inquiry is underway.
Police Investigating the Matter
Police are now investigating how such a large quantity of suspected counterfeit notes entered the currency chest, when they were placed there and who was responsible. Investigators are also checking whether other people were involved in the case.
DIG Abhishek Singh said that a case has been registered against three bank managers based on the complaint filed by the bank’s chief manager. A separate theft case has also been registered against the part-time housekeeper. The bank is conducting its internal inquiry, while police are investigating the matter.
