A significant financial fraud involving Rs 1.65 crore has been uncovered at the Ghat Road branch of Union Bank of India in Nagpur, leading to a formal police case against seven individuals, including a retired branch manager.
How The Scam Was Discovered
The irregularities came to light when the current chief manager of the branch, Sandeep Kumar (40), was reviewing internal audit and fraud monitoring reports. His scrutiny covered the period from December 20, 2019, to May 23, 2022, during which he identified suspicious transactions and misappropriation of funds.
The Accused and Their Alleged Modus Operandi
The primary accused is Nandeshwar Manthapurkar (63), who served as the branch manager before his retirement. Police allege he conspired with other bank officials from the credit card and loan departments, as well as external associates, to siphon off money for personal gain.
The other individuals named in the First Information Report (FIR) are:
- Vineet Rokde (44) from Amravati
- Prashant Uke (40) from Nari Road
- Dhiraj Gajbhiye (54) from Ajni, Nagpur
- Ashish Joge (39) from Nagpur
- Datta Panchal from Nagpur
- Vimal Joge from Nagpur
Investigations reveal the group used a coordinated scheme. They allegedly employed forged Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other documents to issue 44 credit cards. A total amount of Rs 1.65 crore was then disbursed to the accounts of Datta Panchal and Ashish Joge.
Ashish Joge provided his bank account details for the transactions. After the money was credited, he would withdraw the funds and distribute them among the other accomplices, according to the police findings.
Legal Action and Ongoing Probe
Based on the complaint and a preliminary inquiry, the Ganeshpeth police station has registered a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include:
- Section 406 (Criminal breach of trust)
- Section 409 (Criminal breach of trust by a public servant)
- Section 420 (Cheating)
- Section 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention)
Authorities are conducting a deeper investigation into the full extent of the conspiracy. Sources indicate that no arrests have been made so far, and the probe is actively underway to uncover all details of the fraudulent operation.
