Chennai: As many as 424 persons appeared before a special court for CBI cases here on Wednesday in connection with a recruitment racket in a nationalised bank. According to prosecution, the Indian Overseas Bank recruited 900 persons as sweepers, messengers and for other services in 2013. It was alleged that a section of employees recruited several persons known to them, who were overqualified, after collecting bribes.
On information, the CBI registered case against them on charge of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.
Special public prosecutor M.V. Dinakar said the personnel and administration department during the period of 2013-2015 appointed sweepers and messengers in various centres across the state.
He alleged that the All India Overseas Bank Employees Union (AIOBEU) hatched a conspiracy and recruited ineligible candidates. The then chairman and managing director M. Narendra and then union president L. Balasubramanian and general secretary S. Srinivasan allegedly took bribe for this. The basic qualification as per the recruitment was Class VIII pass and Class X fail. They appointed candidates who were mostly overqualified and one of them was working abroad, Mr Dinakar said.
They produced fake certificates and officials, who all booked by the CBI in the case. After the charges were framed in January, summons were issued to them last week to appear before the court on April 3.
A total of 424 persons, including teachers, bank staff, Mr Narendra and union office-bearers appeared before the court on Wednesday. Special judge for CBI cases S. Jawahar ordered issuance of documents to them and adjourned the matter to June 12 for further hearing.
