Farmers Claim Rs 35 Crore Missing from PNB FDs in Greater Noida, Five Suspended

Punjab National Bank (PNB) employees at the Aichhar village branch in Greater Noida are under scrutiny after at least 16 account holders submitted police complaints alleging the embezzlement of fixed deposits (FDs) and bank funds worth an estimated Rs 35 crore.

According to reports and police statements, the bank has suspended five staff members, including the branch manager, and launched an internal investigation. The branch has remained closed as affected account holders gathered outside to demand refunds for losses ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1.2 crore.

Key Details of the Allegations

• Police Complaints: Account holders from Viroondi Chakrasenpur, Bironda, Aichhar, and Site 4 filed complaints at the Sector Beta 2 police station.
• Modus Operandi: Complainants alleged that bank staff prematurely closed FDs, transferred money without authorization, made fraudulent withdrawals, and recorded incorrect entries in passbooks.
• Specific Cases:
• Vineet Bhati alleged Rs 25 lakh was diverted after he signed documents following the manager's direction.
• Shrichand alleged Rs 1.16 crore was missing from his FD.
• Other complainants, including Gautam, Sanjay, Hanif, Kartari, Amichand, Vijay Pal, Subhash, Santosh, Saroj, and Bijendra Singh, reported missing amounts ranging from nearly Rs 1 lakh to over Rs 1 crore.

Official Response and Investigation

• Police Action: On Wednesday, police registered an FIR under BNS Section 316(5) (criminal breach of trust) against the branch staffers at Sector Beta 2 police station based on the complaints.
• Police Supervision: Additional DCP (Greater Noida) Santosh Kumar stated that an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) has been directed to lead inquiries.
• Bank Stand: PNB Lead Bank Manager (Gautam Budh Nagar) Ram Vinod Kumar stated that information is being collected and appropriate action will be taken based on investigation findings.
• Union Demands: The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krishak) claimed the total suspected embezzlement could reach Rs 130–150 crore and demanded a high-level investigation.

Verification

Readers can verify these developments through official statements released by the Gautam Budh Nagar police department or updates issued by Punjab National Bank regarding the Aichhar branch probe.