New Delhi : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Chennai Port Trust (CPT), Chennai in an on-going investigation of a case related to an alleged bank fraud in which fixed deposits of CPT were fore-closed/pre-closed fraudulently, the agency said on Tuesday. The accused, identified as S Raghu Bernard, was produced before the court in Chennai and remanded to Judicial custody, said CBI spokesperson. CBI had registered a case on July 31, 2020, on a complaint from Indian Bank in Chennai against two private persons, Branch Manager of Indian Bank, Coimbatore Branch and other unknown public servants on the allegations of committing fraud, forgery, impersonation with the intention to cheat the bank, that allegedly loss of Rs 45,40,65,000 was caused to Indian Bank by way of foreclosing/pre-closing of several term deposits (fixed deposits) created in the name of CPT and also transferring/withdrawing the said amount through various accounts. It was alleged that the accused in conspiracy with each other canvassed the Bank and CPT for opening of term deposits in Indian Bank of Coimbatore Branch and accordingly, 45 Term deposits (FD) were created during the period between March and May 2020. One of the accused allegedly impersonated himself as Deputy Director (Finance) of CPT and opened the fake current account in the name of CPT at Indian Bank. After the receipt of investment from the CPT on every occasion, the Bank created term deposit receipts (Bond) against the said investment and the said bond was received by the accused from the bank directly. Instead of delivering the original bond to CPT, the accused made duplicate bonds and submitted the forged bonds to CPT. It was also alleged that having original bonds in possession, the accused allegedly presented the same before Indian Bank and pre-closed the Term Deposits one after another within few days of creation of term deposits. The money received from the pre-closure of Term deposits was allegedly credited into the fake current account created in the name of CPT by the accused and subsequently transferred to around 34 different accounts. This money was withdrawn by the 27 account holders and handed over to the accused persons. CPT was continuously investing in term deposits and the same was allegedly pre-closed by the accused one after another, after the bonds were created by the Bank. In that process a total of Rs 100.57 crore was transferred from CPT in 5 investments against which 45 Term Deposits of different amounts were created. Out of the total amount invested, Rs 55.19 crore could be freezed after the detection of the fraud and remaining Rs. 45,40,65,000 were swindled by the accused, said CBI. In this case, 17 persons including two foreign nationals were arrested and they are in judicial custody. Three chargesheets were also filed against 23 accused.
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