Kasaragod: A bank manager has been arrested for pledging fake gold in a bank and borrowing Rs 4 crores here in Vidyanagar.
                                                          The arrested Bank Manager Santhosh Kumar

The arrested bank manager is Santhosh Kumar(44). With his arrest, the number of accused arrested has risen to six.

The investigating team found that Santhosh Kumar, bank appraiser T V Sathisan and U K Harris from Kuntaru Uyithadka are the main accused in the cheating case. Santhosh Kumar had also opened an account in the name of his wife Rekha and deposited Rs 56 lacs. Hence, the police are likely to file a complaint against her. The investigating team raided Santhosh’s house and seized Rs 3.5 lakhs, fake ornaments and bank loan documents. Soon after the incident came to light, Santhosh went absconding.

When the investigation into the case began, several ornaments pledged in Muttathodu Bank, Vidyanagar branch went missing. The police are investigating whether the gold seized from Santhosh’s house belong to the bank.

Another accused Harris who was arrested two days back is said to be involved in another similar cheating case. He had pledged fake ornaments at Mulleriya Co-Coperative bank and availed a loan of Rs 1.21 lakhs. Adoor police have registered a case in this regard. The fact that the ornaments were fake came to light when some new channels flashed the news and photo of Harris. The bank secretary had filed a complaint at Adoor police station in this regard.

Police said that a few more would be likely arrested in cheating cases.