When a nazir duped his huzoor
The Nazir (cashier) was arrested for fraudulently withdrawing Rs 98 lakh from Jharkhand’s Palamu DC’s official bank account.
A typical case of a government nazir (cashier) duping his huzoor (DC) has come to light in Jharkhand’s Palamu district. Police have arrested the government clerk, earlier posted as cashier with the Palamu deputy commissioner’s office, for allegedly withdrawing Rs. 98 lakh fraudulently from the government bank account handled by the deputy commissioner.
Shailesh Kumar, the accused, was arrested from Daltonganj town on Wednesday afternoon. A criminal case has been lodged with the town police station after an initial inquiry ordered by the Palamu deputy commissioner Amit Kumar confirmed his corrupt act.
The district police were also preparing to seek assistance from the Anti-corruption Bureau, the enforcement directorate and the income tax sleuth in the on-going investigation to throw the lid completely open. Police are expecting involvement of several other staff of the department in the fraud.
The accused identified as Shailesh Kumar had served for nine and a half year as DC office’s nazir (cashier) before recently being transferred to Chainpur block, also in Palamu district.
The Palamu superintendent of police Indrajit Mahatha said, “The modus operandi of the nazir was to forge the cheques signed by the DC and get the enhanced amount withdrawn from the bank. For example, he withdrew 1050335/- instead of 50335/- by fraudulently prefixing exorbitant numbers before the amount after the DC cleared the cheques.”
“So far fraudulent withdrawal to the tune of Rs 98 lakh had been confirmed. We are further investigating the scam. The role of suppliers is also under the scanner,” Mahatha said.
The SP said, “We may also rope in other agencies to assist in further probe after the preliminary inquiry revealed that the arrested government employee deposited huge amount in government bank account during demonetization.”