Kalim Ahmed, the head cashier of UCO Bank’s Shahpur branch, was arrested by Belghat police on Saturday from Ghuchiari village in Sikriganj. Ahmed is accused of embezzling ₹10 lakh from bank customers. However, his brother Shamim alias Rinku, who also worked as a sweeper in the same bank and is alleged to be the mastermind behind the fraud, remains absconding.
The Gorakhpur main branch of UCO Bank has filed an application with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to register a formal case against the accused.
How the Fraud Was Discovered
The embezzlement came to light on November 29 when a customer, Radhika, a resident of Uchgaon in the Gola police station area, visited the Shahpur branch to update her passbook. She discovered that ₹43,500 she had deposited on November 11 was missing from her account, despite having a valid deposit slip. Radhika immediately reported the issue to the branch manager.
As news of the fraud spread, other customers began checking their accounts. Around 23 people reported similar issues, alleging that the cashier had taken their money and issued fake deposit slips. In some cases, funds were withdrawn using forged thumb impressions and signatures.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Belghat police registered five cases related to the fraud. Investigations revealed that Kalim Ahmed had been misappropriating funds with the help of his brother Shamim. Both had absconded after the fraud was uncovered. While the police have arrested Ahmed, efforts are ongoing to locate Shamim.
Details of the Accused
Kalim Ahmed joined UCO Bank in 2004 as a contractual sweeper. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, becoming a peon, then a clerk, and finally a cashier in 2009. His long tenure at the branch helped him build trust among customers, who would often hand over money and passbooks without suspicion.
Extent of the Fraud
Preliminary investigations suggest that around ₹10 lakh has been siphoned off from 23 customers. The bank management and police are jointly probing the case to determine the full extent of the fraud.
Bank’s Response
The bank’s management has assured customers of a thorough investigation and has pledged to take corrective actions. Meanwhile, authorities are intensifying their search for Shamim to bring all culprits to justice.
