FIR against 69 Indian Bank cooperative staff in ₹3.6 crore embezzlement case

Lucknow: On the directions of the court, an FIR has been registered against 69 current and former employees of the Indian Bank Employees Credit Cooperative Society Ltd in Gonda over the alleged embezzlement of approximately Rs 3.60 crore spanning more than two decades.The case was lodged at Kotwali Nagar police station on the orders of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, following allegations of financial irregularities, criminal breach of trust and misuse of official positions between 1997 and 2020.According to the FIR, secretary of the Indian Bank Employees Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Ravindra Kumar Srivastava, alleged that the accused officials misappropriated society funds while holding various positions within the cooperative body.

The complainant said that at the time the alleged irregularities took place, the institution was associated with Allahabad Bank, which was later merged with Indian Bank.The complaint alleges that the officers and employees diverted society funds, causing substantial financial losses. Despite repeated demands and efforts by society members and office-bearers, the allegedly misappropriated amount was not recovered.

Srivastava further claimed that representations regarding the matter were submitted to the district administration and police authorities. However, when no concrete action was taken, the society approached the court seeking legal intervention.Acting on the petition, the Chief Judicial Magistrate directed the police to register a case and initiate an investigation. Following the order, an FIR was lodged against 69 officials and employees linked to the cooperative society.Circle Officer Anand Kumar Rai confirmed that the case has been registered and that the police are examining financial records and other evidence to ascertain the individual roles and liabilities of those involved in the alleged scam.