What Led to the Four-Year Imprisonment of a Union Bank of India Branch Manager?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Branch manager sentenced for bank fraud.
- Four years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 30,000.
- Fraud involved Rs 40 lakh sanctioned based on fake documents.
- CBI's crackdown on corruption in public offices.
- Importance of accountability in financial institutions.
Ghaziabad, Sep 25 (NationPress) A special CBI court on Thursday sentenced a branch manager of Union Bank of India to four years of imprisonment alongside a fine of Rs. 30,000 in connection with a Rs 40 lakh bank fraud case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated the case on December 14, 2010, against Manoj Srivastava, the Branch Manager of the bank's SSI Branch Noida, among others, on allegations of bank fraud.
According to a CBI statement, Manoj Srivastava, while serving as Branch Manager from May 2007 to June 2009, misused his official capacity as a public servant. He conspired with Om Prakash Maheshwari, the owner of M/s Pioneer Enterprises, Rashmi Srivastava (a private individual), Prithvi Raj Saxena, a Chartered Accountant, and Manish Kothari (another private individual) to approve Rs 40 lakh on September 27, 2008, based on forged documents, resulting in significant losses for the bank.
The agency submitted a charge sheet on September 29, 2012, against five defendants, and the court framed charges against them on November 3, 2017.
On August 13, Manoj Srivastava requested the CBI court to accept his guilt, which led to his conviction and sentencing.
The CBI has intensified its actions against public officials involved in bribery and corruption, which ultimately undermine public trust.
Recently, the CBI also apprehended the Branch Manager of UP Grameen Bank in Sankisha, Farrukhabad district, for accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a complainant earlier this month.