Charges framed against bank manager, six bizmen; trial to start from May 3

PANCHKULA: A special CBI court charged a bank manager, two US green card-holders and their four business associates of conspiracy, cheating and forgery for their alleged involvement in the ₹15-crore banking fraud in Central Bank of India’ Faridabad branch.

The CBI registered the case in 2015 on the basis of a complaint from the bank’s senior official, TC Ahuja.

The move comes 20 months after the CBI filed a chargesheet in the special CBI court here.

The trial will begin from May 3.

The accused have been identified as bank manager SK Kathuria, who has also been charged under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

THE CASE

As per the CBI, Kathuria approved a ₹15-crore loan for two US-returned brothers—Vijender Singh Ahlawat and Surander Singh Ahlawat for starting a garment business in Gurgaon’s Manesar.

The loan amount was released when Ahlawat brothers submitted papers in bank for purchase of machinery and raw material.

Later, it was found that the unit that was started by name of VS International did not take off.

The loan money was then transferred to a firm owned by three business associates—Sanjay Khanna, Sandeep Khanna and Sameer Khanna in quid pro quo arrangement.

The accused included charted accountant Arun Gupta who helped the accused in securing the loan based on forged documents in connivance with bank manager.

ALL THE ACCUSED ARE CURRENTLY ON BAIL.

Meanwhile, one of the accused Vijender Singh Ahlawat moved an application to know the status of his passport.

During the hearing on Monday, it was learnt that his passport was sent by the CBI to the ministry of external affairs for impounding.

The court deferred the matter to March 12 after CBI counsel sought more time to verify the status as to whether the same has been impounded or not.