Police have arrested a Khargone cooperative bank cashier accused of stealing over Rs 41 lakh. Investigators are checking her claim that most of the money was lost in online gaming and tracing whether others were involved.
A 44-year-old woman cashier accused of stealing more than Rs 41 lakh from a cooperative bank in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone has been arrested after remaining on the run for several days. During preliminary questioning, the accused allegedly told police that she lost over Rs 35 lakh of the misappropriated money while playing an online game and spent part of the funds on family trips and air travel.
The accused, identified as Ritu Goswami, was posted at the Thibgaon branch of the District Cooperative Central Bank. Police said she is accused of embezzling Rs 41.58 lakh from the bank.
According to investigators, Goswami allegedly siphoned off the funds and later fled. Following her arrest, police recovered Rs 1.49 lakh in cash, three mobile phones and her bank identity card. Officials are now trying to trace the remaining amount.
During interrogation, Goswami claimed she became involved with the Star Maker online platform through a link and gradually lost large sums of money while playing the game. Police are verifying her claims and examining financial transactions linked to the alleged embezzlement.
TRAVELLED TO IN-LAWS IN MUMBAI BEFORE FLEEING
The probe further revealed that after allegedly fleeing with the bank’s funds, Goswami travelled to her in-laws’ residence in Mumbai. She reportedly told family members that she was on leave from work. Police said the mobile phones of several family members had also been switched off, making it difficult for bank officials and investigators to contact them.
A police team tracked the accused across multiple locations, including Mumbai and Delhi, before eventually arresting her.