Ex-Manager Of Punjab National Bank Arrested For Rs 1.23 Cr Fraud In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Odisha, has arrested former manager of Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) circle office in Balasore, Vinay Sonkar, in connection with an alleged Rs 1.23 crore fraud case.

According to an EOW release, he was nabbed from Burdwan in West Bengal on Friday. He is being brought on transit remand and will be produced before the Designated Court under OPID Act, Balasore, on Saturday.

In a complaint, Chief Manager of Balasor’s PNB had alleged that Sonkar misappropriated public fund by issuing directions to Balasore branch manager for transfer of Rs 1,23,12,236.01 to unauthorised accounts in a fraudulent manner, during his tenure as manager at the circle office from August 31, 2020, to June 4, 2022. He was then assigned with General Services Administration Department (GSAD) and was also in-charge of Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro & Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).

“The branch officials credited the total sum of Rs.1,23,12,236.01 vide 26 transactions to multiple accounts as given by the accused. Sonkar instead of directing to deposit the credit guarantee amount to the account of CGTSME, which is meant for loans for poor persons under various government schemes, had directed the branch manager to credit money to various unauthorised accounts and thereby he has caused huge wrongful loss to the bank,” the release said.

It further stated that Sonkar had committed a similar fraud to the tune of Rs 80 lakh while posted at Rishra Morepukur Branch, Hooghly, during 2022, and was subsequently removed from service on March 24, 2024. “Several incriminating documents like personal files, forged letters, vouchers, statement of bank accounts and registers have been seized. Further investigation is underway,” it added.