Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the Villupuram police to register an FIR, if cognisable offence is made out on a complaint, against a branch manager of Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank.
Justice M.S. Ramesh gave the directive on a petition filed by Nataraj, which sought a direction to the Inspector of police, District Crime Branch, Villupuram district, to register an FIR on the basis of his complaint dated February 24.
Petitioner’s counsel R.Jayaprakash submitted that the petitioner had availed loans to the tune of '60 lakh by hypothecating two vehicles standing in the name of Swetha Transport Agency from the Kallakurichi branch of TNMB. From the date of the loan borrowed, the petitioner had been promptly paying the loan amount with interest and without any arrears.
On April 27, 2017, the petitioner had paid due amount of Rs 18.29 lakh to the branch manager Saravanakumar, who after receiving the same issued challan and NOC.
In December 2017, the bank officials informed him that the due amount has not been paid. Immediately, the petitioner reported to the Regional Manager Inbamani, who had found that the very same manager has misappropriated '9 lakh from the petitioner’s wife’s overdraft facility.
The Regional Manager conducted an enquiry in which the manager agreed to pay the entire amount but has not paid any amount till date. Subsequently, the manager was transferred to Usilampatti branch.
He lodged a complaint with Villupuram police. But there was no response. Hence, the present petition, Jayaprakash added.
