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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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
