Shopian, Feb 6, In a significant breakthrough in the Turkawangam bank fraud case, authorities have intensified their investigation into the fraudulent withdrawal of funds from customer accounts at the Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch in Turkawangam, Shopian. The police have arrested the branch manager, and further arrests are expected as the probe deepens.
An FIR was previously registered concerning unauthorized transactions, and with the manager’s recent arrest, a large-scale inquiry has been initiated into suspicious withdrawals over the past several years. Officials anticipate additional arrests in the coming days.
The case first surfaced in 2019 when funds were illicitly withdrawn from the account of the late Mohd Yousuf Shah, a day after his passing on January 13, 2019. His daughter, upon visiting the bank, discovered that nearly ₹5 lakh had been fraudulently taken from his account on January 14, 2019. Investigations revealed that Mudassir Hasan Shah, son of Master Hasan Shah, had misappropriated the funds, transferring them into the accounts of close relatives. Despite a complaint being filed at the Zainapora police station, the accused has yet to be taken into custody.
The fraud resurfaced in August 2024 when substantial sums were reported missing from the accounts of several elderly customers and women, including Abdul Ghani Lone. As the news spread, customers from Nule Poshawari, Mallah Dhera, Sugan, Turkawangam, and other villages rushed to the bank, reporting unauthorized withdrawals. In response, local advocate Mohsin Nabi filed an FIR at the Zainapora police station, demanding a thorough probe into the case.
Following the revelations, the bank recovered ₹35 lakh and suspended an employee. However, locals accused the branch manager and Mudassir Hasan Shah of orchestrating the scam, urging a comprehensive investigation. They argued that had the 2019 fraud been promptly investigated, further embezzlements amounting to crores could have been prevented.
Affected customers and community members have called for the immediate arrest of all those involved and demanded a deeper inquiry into the bank’s administrative operations. The case is now under police scrutiny, with an FIR (No. 104/2024) registered at the Zainapora police station. Law enforcement officials have assured a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims of this financial scandal.(CNS)
