CBI to Probe Rs 3.83 Crore Embezzlement in North Bihar Gramin Bank

Patna: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will investigate financial irregularities amounting to Rs 3.83 crore in North Bihar Gramin Bank. Following approval from the Bihar Governor, the Reserve Branch of the Home Department has issued a notification for the probe.

The case pertains to the Manjhagarh branch of North Bihar Gramin Bank in Gopalganj district, where former branch manager Joseph Kujur and bank associate Rakesh Kumar Manjhi are accused of misappropriating funds. Both individuals are currently absconding.

The matter initially came to light when bank branch manager Ashish Agrahari filed a complaint, prompting the police to launch an investigation. At the outset, the embezzled amount was estimated at Rs 14.52 lakh, allegedly siphoned from the account of the Manjhagarh Block Development Officer. However, as the investigation progressed, a special audit was conducted, revealing that the total misappropriation had escalated to Rs 3.83 crore.

Given the scale of the financial fraud, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gopalganj recommended that the case be handed over to the CBI. The agency has now taken charge of the investigation. Kujur, the absconding branch manager, is a resident of Nehalu in Ranchi, while Manjhi hails from Kanpura village in Manjhagarh.