Account holders in three ICICI Bank branches in Andhra lose Rs 28 cr

Vijayawada, October 11 (IANS): Account holders in three branches of ICICI Bank in Palnadu and NTR districts of Andhra Pradesh have lost around Rs 28 crore.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) is investigating that 72 account holders in Chikaluripet and Narsaraopet branches in Palnadu district and Vijayawada branch in NTR district have lost their fixed deposits and gold.

CID Additional Superintendent of Police Adinarayana said they initiated the investigation following a complaint from the bank’s Vijayawada Zone Officer.

The CID officials interrogated some bank employees and probed their role in alleged diversion of money from the accounts.

The scam came to light when account holders approached their respective bank branches as interest on fixed deposits had not been credited to their accounts for the past two months. They were shocked when the bank officials informed them that their fixed deposit bonds were no longer valid.

The victims complained to the police, who filed a complaint and transferred it to the CID for investigation.

ICICI Bank Zone Officer in Vijayawada also approached the CID requesting an inquiry.

The CID received a complaint that one Naresh Chandrasekhar, who had worked as a manager at Chilkaluripet, Narsaraopet and Vijayawada branches of ICICI Bank, had allegedly diverted the FDs. Some customers who had deposited checks were also defrauded.

“There are three to four categories of customers who have been defrauded. We are recording their statements,” the CID official said.

He said the irregularities came to the attention of the banking authorities in July this year and Naresh was suspended. The bank had initiated a departmental inquiry against him.

The CID has sought reports on the investigation conducted by the bank officials. He hoped that they would reach a breakthrough in the case within 2-3 days.

Chilkaluripet MLA P. Pulla Rao assured support to the account holders. He requested the bank officials to provide justice to the victims.