Protest Erupts Over Major Embezzlement in Himachal Cooperative Bank

Hundreds protested against the alleged embezzlement of over Rs 4 crore in Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Bank's Nohradhar village branch. They called for immediate release of their funds and demanded a high-level probe. The assistant manager is accused of committing the fraud over a decade using fictitious loan accounts.

Hundreds of people, including bank customers, political, and community leaders, staged a protest march on Friday against the alleged embezzlement of over Rs 4 crore at Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Bank's branch in Nohradhar village, Sirmaur district.

The assistant manager is accused of committing the fraud spanning more than a decade by creating fictitious loan accounts. Protesters questioned the lack of accountability and detection by bank auditors who regularly visit the branch.

The public demanded an immediate resumption of transactions, claims of fraud being investigated thoroughly, and assurance that their money is secure. Senior BJP leader Narayan Singh called for a high-level inquiry to restore trust in cooperative banks.