Several lakh withdrawn fraudulently through bank drafts

Raisen, MP, June 8 (UNI) Two members of an interstate gang, involved in a fraud case of withdrawing several lakh of rupees from banks through drafts, have been arrested, police said today.

Superintendent of Police K C Jain said the matter was linked to a bank dacoity in Central Bank of India's Panchkuli branch in West Bengal in 2004 when Rs 4 lakh and 650 blank bank drafts were stolen.

The matter came to light when Rs 65.76 lakh were withdrawn from Central Bank of India's branch after opening accounts in Central Cooperative Bank in Udaypura and Regional Rural Bank in Hoshangabad.

Mr Jain said it could not be denied that the gang would have withdrawn money from several banks in various states.

Preliminary investigation revealed that main accused Chandraprakash Dubey, who belonged to Uttar Pradesh, had employed two unemployed youths Narmada Prasad and Suhagchand at a salary of Rs 15,000 per month.

Accounts for both of them were opened and they were shown as wheat trader conducting business through Reliance and City Bank. The amount from banks was withdrawn through these youths.

Narmada and Suhagchand had gone to withdraw Rs one lakh from the bank on June 6. However, the bank manager smelt a rat and informed police.

Investigation revealed that Udaypura's district cooperative bank's manager had strong links with Chandraprakash. The manner in which Rs 65 lakh had been withdrawn pointed the needle of suspicion towards the bank officials.

Meanwhile, a team of officials from West Bengal's Central Bank of India branch had arrived here.

UNI