Kurnool: Cases registered against Andhra Bank, SBI employees

Kurnool: Following misappropriation of Rs. 1.42 crore at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Devastanam at Srisailam, The have registered cases on the bank staff and took up inquiry on Tuesday.

The Atmakur police station, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Venkata Rao addressing media persons, said they have registered cases under sections IPC 406, 409, 420, read with 34 and also under section 66 of IT act. Total 20 persons - 14 from Andhra Bank and 6 from State Bank of India - were involved in the scam. All the employees were engaged on outsourcing system. The staff of Andhra Bank were drawing their salaries, but 6 of the SBI staff were not paid regular salaries by the provider bank. But they are being supervised by the authorities of Srisailam temple. It is found that Rs. 76 lakh was misused by 14 Andhra Bank staff and Rs. 66 lakh by SBI staff, stated the DSP.

It is also detected that the accused were diverting temple amount by using fake ID during their duties. On an average they used to divert Rs 20,000 per month without the knowledge of temple authorities since 2017, Venkata Rao said.

The temple EO KS Rama Rao said that they are planning to stream line the entire system at the temple to provide better services to the devotees by appointing regular staff.

On other hand, the commissioner of Endowment department has issued orders to conduct a detailed probe into the scam. He also advised to take the assistance of software and auditing experts wherever necessary.