In a shocking revelation, an employee of Punjab and Sind Bank, Bedanshu Shekhar Mishra, finds himself at the center of a major financial scandal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen his assets, valued at ₹2.56 crore, following allegations that he pilfered over ₹52 crore from customer Fixed Deposits (FDs) to indulge in online gaming.
The ED’s intervention came after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Bedanshu Shekhar Mishra and others, accusing them of bank fraud and money laundering. The ED initiated its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The federal agency revealed that the assets seized include fixed deposits and real estate belonging to the accused bank employee. According to the ED, Mishra exploited his official position at the Punjab and Sind Bank branch office at Khalsa College, North Campus, Delhi University, during 2021 and 2022. He engaged in fraudulent transactions, breaking numerous customers’ FDs, including those of SGTB Khalsa College of Delhi University, without their knowledge. The fraudulent activities resulted in a total embezzlement of ₹52,99,53,698.
The ED’s findings indicate that on November 16, 2023, Bedanshu Shekhar Mishra was suspended by the bank following the discovery of the fraud. Further investigations have revealed that Mishra used the embezzled funds to play online games on platforms like Goa247.live, Indibet.com, and Betway, participating in games such as monopoly, poker, and teen patti.
As the investigations continue, the case raises concerns about the security of customer funds in financial institutions and emphasizes the need for robust measures to prevent such fraudulent activities.
