Defrauded depositors yet to get back money

Depositors defrauded by some Rupali Bank employees at Pathgram and Barokhata branches are yet to get back their money.

About Tk 40 lakh was misappropriated from their accounts in the two branches.

The scam came to light in April when some depositors found that amounts in their accounts were less than they had deposited. At a recent press conference at Pathgram, some of the depositors urged higher authorities in Bangladesh Bank and Rupali Bank to take immediate steps to return their money and punish the culprits.

When contacted, Rupali Bank Manager at Pathgram Abdur Razzak said after complaints by depositors, he conducted a preliminary probe and detected the scam. He filed a case with Pathgram police against Cashier Mojibor Rahman, employee Abdul Wahab and Godown Keeper Anwarul Islam.

Police arrested Abdul Wahed, but Mojibor Rahman and Anwarul Islam are absconding since then.

This correspondent also contacted Assistant General Manager of Rupali Bank in Rangpur Abdul Mannan. He said three probe bodies in their investigation also found defalcation of depositors' money at Barokhata and Pathgram branches.

The probe bodies found involvement of the three persons in the scam at Pathgram branch, he added.

"Investigation into the scam at Barokhata branch is also complete, where involvement of Mojibor Rahman was also detected", the AGM said.

Cashier Mojibor Rahman was transferred to Pathgram branch from Barokhata branch of the bank in Lalmonirhat in 2003. After his transfer, authorities at Barokhata branch detected defalcation of Tk10 lakh of from depositors' money.

The bank will go for action against them soon and return the defalcated money, the AGM said.