CBI books SBI branch manager in graft case

Even as top banks and bankers are accused of indiscriminately giving thousands of crores of loans without any checks and which have turned into non-performing assets, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now received a complaint from a man who alleged that a branch manager of State Bank of India in Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli demanded a bribe of five percent for a loan of Rs 10 lakh. The victim was asking for a loan from his salaried account.

The CBI was surprised by the fact that on the one hand, banks are harassing the common man — with managers demanding bribes from small customers — and on the other, it is turning a blind eye to demands from large businessmen, leading to huge scams (referring to jeweller Nirav Modi and liquor baron Vijay Mallya).

The agency has registered a case against Ajay Kumar Gaur, Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Sahupuri Branch in Chandauli, for allegedly demanding a bribe from Ram Ashrey. The victim, also a government employee, in his complaint alleged that he had applied for a Rs 10 lakh loan on his salaried account, which is with the State Bank of India. After he applied for a loan, he was expecting it to be approved. But, Ashrey allegedly received a call from the bank manager who demanded a bribe of five percent.

Ashrey was taken aback and he made it clear to Gaur that he will not be able to pay a bribe. Following which, Ashrey alleged that the loan application was disapproved by the bank manager. Left with no other option, Ashrey wrote an application to CBI to carry out raids and probe into the matter against the bank manager on February 23.

The agency on February 26 registered a case of demand for illegal gratification against the bank manager and carried out probe.