FraudCase – Absconding Accused Arrested in BSNL Bank Scam After 14 Years
FraudCase – In a significant development in a long-pending financial fraud case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an accused who had been evading authorities for more than a decade. The case involves the fraudulent withdrawal of ₹60.86 lakh from an account linked to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The arrest comes nearly 14 years after the First Information Report (FIR) was first registered, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Accused Evaded Authorities for Years
The individual, identified as Manoj Kumar Sinha, also known as Manoj Sinha, had reportedly remained out of reach since the case was initiated in 2012. According to investigators, he never cooperated with the inquiry and consistently avoided appearing before authorities despite multiple notices. Over time, he was officially declared an absconder by the investigating agency.
Officials stated that a court had also issued a warrant for his arrest. However, despite these legal measures, Sinha managed to stay untraceable for several years, delaying progress in the case.
Background of the Fraud Case
The case dates back to April 16, 2012, when a complaint was filed by BSNL. The complaint alleged irregularities involving officials from the State Bank of India’s main branch in Shillong, certain BSNL staff members in the same city, and other unidentified individuals.
Investigators found that a sum of ₹60.86 lakh had been illegally withdrawn from a BSNL account held at SBI’s M.G. Road branch in Shillong. The transactions were suspected to have been carried out through fraudulent means, raising serious concerns about internal controls and oversight within the institutions involved.
Chargesheets Filed After Investigation
Following an initial investigation, the CBI filed its first chargesheet in December 2013 against an आरोपी named Sanjeev Kumar Rai. This was submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Shillong.
As the probe progressed, additional evidence emerged. This led to the filing of a supplementary chargesheet in July 2021, in which Manoj Kumar Sinha and others were named as accused. The expanded investigation aimed to uncover the broader network behind the fraudulent transactions and establish accountability among all involved parties.
Tracking the Absconder
CBI officials highlighted that locating Sinha required sustained and coordinated efforts over an extended period. Investigators relied on a combination of modern techniques and traditional methods, including technical surveillance, field verification, and analysis of call detail records.
Open-source intelligence tools were also used to gather information and track possible leads. These efforts eventually helped authorities identify Sinha’s location in Patna, Bihar, where he had been residing under the radar.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
A dedicated CBI team apprehended Sinha in Patna on April 28. Officials confirmed that he will be presented before a local court to obtain transit remand. After completing legal formalities, he will be taken to Shillong, where he will be produced before a special court handling the case.
Further proceedings will determine his role in the alleged fraud and the extent of his involvement in the conspiracy.
Significance of the Arrest
Authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough in a case that had remained unresolved for years. It reflects the agency’s continued efforts to pursue individuals involved in financial crimes, even after long periods of evasion.
Officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring accountability in cases involving public sector institutions and financial irregularities. The development is also expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to curb fraud in banking and government-linked organizations.