Rs 85 Lakh Fraudulently Withdrawn From Customers’ Bank Accounts In Odisha’s Kendrapada; Peon Held

Kendrapada: Over Rs 85 lakh has allegedly been withdrawn from the bank accounts of at least six customers without their knowledge in Odisha’s’ Kendrapada district.

As per reports, the money has been withdrawn from seven accounts belonging to six customers.

The matter came to light after Surendra Naik, a Bandha Sahi Bilikana hamlet customer, filed a formal complaint with the police against the bank staff on January 20.

“They have forged our signatures and used cheques to withdraw money. This act is not possible without the involvement of the bank officials. I have lodged an FIR, but all they say is that an investigation is going on,” Surendra told reporters.

Police have registered a case based on the complaint, and bank peon Satyananda Ghadei has been taken into custody. Further investigation is in progress, police sources said.

The account holders of the Indian Bank branch in Singiri Baazar, Aul, in the district, have made serious allegations against bank staff.

“I don’t know how and when they have withdrawn the entire amount from my account. I came to know about it only after I updated my passbook. They would take our passbook, saying the print machine was not working, and use it for fraudulent activities. They kept us in the dark for a long time,” claimed another woman victim, Sasikala Mahalik.

The branch manager acknowledged that the funds had been embezzled and stated that a departmental inquiry was underway into the whole episode.