Chamoli: Police have arrested two people in connection with financial irregularities and embezzlement of crores of rupees at the Rural Savings Center Masauli in Pokhari block. Former secretary Mohanlal, resident of Nauti (Karnprayag) and cooperative accountant Amit Singh Negi, resident of Nauli (Pokhari) were arrested from Gopeshwar.
A case was registered at Pokhari police station on the complaint of Assistant Development Officer Rajan Kumar. Both are accused of embezzling Rs 76 lakh 48 thousand 559 between the years 2017 to 2023.
Investigation revealed withdrawal of money through fake signatures and forged documents in the name of deceased account holders.
Irregularities were found in 162 accounts, in which the signatures of the same person were found on many withdrawal forms. Police set up a special camp and recorded the statements of 110 account holders, who denied knowledge of the withdrawal.
More than Rs 1.15 crore was withdrawn by the accounting assistant, which was not deposited in the bank. The former secretary made an illegal withdrawal of Rs 12.5 lakh, which was beyond his authorized limit. The committee has also been found to have liabilities of more than Rs 26 lakh in 800 accounts. The role of other officials is also being investigated.
