Another bank scandal hits State Bank of Sikkim: FIR against 5 officials for taking close to Rs 3 cr bribe for loans

Reported By Prakash Adhikari | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

While an investigation is underway into the case of embezzlment of a whopping Rs 69 crores by 3 officials of State Bank of Sikkim, another 5 employees of the Bank have been booked for taking bribes to the tune of Rs 2,62,76,500 from customers of the bank in lieu of sanctioning loans.

The identities of the 5 officials involved in the bribery case have not yet been disclosed. However, it has been confirmed that among the accused, two are from the Gangtok Headquarters. The other three are from Jorethang branch, Lalbazar branch, and Pakyong branch. They all hold positions of Manager, Assistant Manager, and Accountant at their respective branches.

Acting on a tip-off, the sleuths of Vigilance Department, Gangtok yesterday raided their residences and offices in Gangtok and 6th Mile (Gangtok),Pakyong, Jorethang, Sombaria, during which the team seized a number of documents relating to acquisition of moveable and immoveable assets and cash in lakhs.

According to the Sikkim Vigilance Police, the officials had received huge bribe money from different SBS customers during the last 5 to 6 years, which they credited to their individual bank accounts.

The unique modus operandi adopted by the accused bank officials in demanding and accepting bribe was that they asked the concerned customers to transfer money to their respective bank accounts in lakhs from time to time.

The Sikkim Vigilance Police has filed 5 FIRs against them.

Also Read: Rs 69 cr Sikkim State Bank fraud: FIR against GM, 2 others