SBI manager booked for Rs 1.25 cr fraud in Karnataka
Bidar (Karnataka) (PTI): A case has been registered against an ATM Channel Manager of the SBI for allegedly misusing his official position to fraudulently withdraw and misappropriate funds to the tune of Rs 1.25 crore from a branch account, police said on Thursday.
The accused, Praveen Kumar, who was working as an ATM Channel Manager at the SBI Bidar Regional Office, was deputed to the State Bank of India (SBI) Humnabad branch during the relevant period.
According to police sources, he is absconding.
The case has been registered based on a complaint lodged by the Branch Manager of SBI Humnabad, K L Ranganath.
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"The accused with the intention of cheating, being a public servant, misused his official authority and unauthorisedly debited Rs 1.25 crore from the SBI branch account, wrote fake vouchers in the names of other customers, made them appear as genuine, committed breach of trust, and cheated the bank,” the FIR said.
Ranganath stated that he has been serving at the branch since July 2023.
The accused was responsible for overseeing the functioning of SBI ATMs and was routinely deputed to various branches in Bidar district whenever cash officers or other officials were on leave.
During his deputation to the SBI Humnabad branch, the accused allegedly withdrew Rs 15 lakh in cash from the branch account, apart from making unauthorised debits amounting to Rs 1.25 crore, the FIR added.
His activities started from August 31, 2024 to November 29, 2025.
Based on the complaint, the Humnabad Police Station registered a case of cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust.
Police said an investigation has been taken up and further details will emerge during the probe.
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Bengaluru top cop reviews security preparedness ahead of New Year bash
Bengaluru (PTI): Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh on Thursday conducted a field inspection here to review the security arrangements and crowd management measures put in place ahead of the New Year celebrations.
With large crowds expected, this inspection was undertaken in Koramangala to assess ground-level preparedness under the comprehensive bandobast and crowd management plan formulated by the Bengaluru City Police.
Special emphasis was placed on preventing anti-social activities, strict adherence to safety guidelines, and ensuring uninterrupted access for emergency services.
According to a statement issued by Singh's office, the preparations for New Year celebrations began nearly a month ago. Several rounds of coordination meetings have been held with police officers and concerned stakeholder departments.
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At the present stage, intensive on-ground inspections are being conducted to identify and address any operational gaps.
To realistically understand crowd behaviour, field visits have been planned on days when the crowd size and nature are expected to be similar to those anticipated on New Year's Eve.
"To prevent overcrowding and to ensure the safe movement of pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and police units, controlled and regulated access systems will be implemented. Designated holding areas have been identified to temporarily manage crowd density," it said.
The public has been advised to use designated parking facilities outside the main celebration zones and to reach nearby areas on foot or by public transport. These measures are aimed at reducing traffic congestion and ensuring that emergency response services are not obstructed.
During the inspection, the Commissioner reviewed the CCTV coverage and live surveillance systems, Deployment of Al-based crowd movement analysis systems. Barricading and access control layouts, emergency response and evacuation protocols
These measures will support real-time monitoring, early identification of crowd pressure points, and prompt intervention whenever required, the statement added.
