New Delhi — The Special Judge of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Lucknow, on Tuesday convicted four individuals in a bank fraud case involving Rs 6.8 crore. Each convict has been sentenced to three years imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 1.25 lakh. Additionally, the private company M/s Anita Contractor and Construction Private Limited was fined Rs 1 lakh.
The case originated from a complaint lodged by the Assistant General Manager of Bank of India, Hazratganj, Lucknow, alleging that between 2004 and 2006, the accused conspired to cheat the bank by obtaining cash credit facilities using forged and fabricated non-existent work orders.
Following the investigation, a chargesheet was filed against Anita Jain, Managing Director of M/s Anita Contractor and Construction Private Limited, Mohd. Isteyaq, Pankaj Khare, Poonam Sinha, Prem Prakash Asthana, Rajesh Khanna, Shamshul Haq Siddiqui, and Sudhir Kumar Jain. The court acquitted Anita Jain citing benefit of doubt and discharged proceedings against Prem Prakash Asthana and Poonam Sinha. Sudhir Jain and Mohd. Isteyaq Khan had passed away during the trial.
The verdict follows the completion of the trial, holding the convicted individuals accountable for their role in the fraudulent scheme.
In a related development, Tirupati Lok Sabha MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has sought urgent intervention to protect the Tirumala Temple from political interference. Letters have been sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Justice of India Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, requesting a CBI inquiry and formation of a Judicial Commission headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge to probe the escalating Tirumala Parakamani controversy.
