Scandal news make Grameena Bank depositors tense

 Telangana | Written by : Suryaa Desk Updated: Thu, Feb 22, 2018, 11:37 AM

Hyderabad: Tense moments were witnessed at the Telangana Grameena Bank (TGB) Aziznagar branch in Moinabad on Wednesday when customers came to know that the bank cashier-cum-clerk had swindled over Rs 8.94 crore. Several depositors rushed to the bank to know what would happen to their hard-earned money.

Two persons had deposited money for the marriage of their daughters scheduled in March while another woman had put her savings in a fixed deposit account after her husband’s demise so that she would get the interest, to help meet her expenses to some extent.

A farmer, Cheruku Eshwaraiah, had deposited Rs 3.20 lakh so that he could withdraw the amount at the time of his daughter’s marriage. Similar was the situation of another farmer G Pochaiah who had deposited Rs 10 lakh for his daughter’s marriage.

But after the scam broke out, both are in a confused state. “They are not sure as to when they will get their money back even as the wedding date is fast approaching,” Nagireddygudem sarpanch Manoj Kumar said.

The woes of depositors compounded further after the TGB issued a notice stating that the CBI was investigating the matter. “As the matter is under investigation, further developments will be informed to customers only after completion of investigation by the CBI,” the notice addressed to bank customers said.

It was not only Eshwaraiah and Pochaiah who were affected but also a few more villagers who had deposited money in the same bank. Hoping that their money would be safe, a few villagers had deposited it in the bank after selling their land. But much to their chagrin, the scam shattered their hopes.

Manoj Kumar sought the intervention of the Central and State governments in returning the cash to the depositors as there was no concrete assurance from the bank. Sources said the prime suspect M Jaipal Reddy, who is the cashier-cum-clerk, surrendered before the

Cyberabad police at Moinabad police station two days ago. The CBI reportedly took him into custody after it booked a case against 10 persons including Jaipal Reddy on Monday.

Officials from the premier investigating agency also questioned key bank officials to collect more information about the fraud. Moinabad Inspector S Sunitha said a police picket was posted at the bank to prevent any untoward incidents.