Amritsar Court Rejects Bail Application in Major Embezzlement Case
In a significant legal development, the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge in Amritsar has firmly rejected the bail application of Ankit Kumar, a resident of Gokul Vihar. This decision comes in connection with a high-profile case involving an alleged fraud amounting to Rs 80 lakh, which has sent shockwaves through the local business community.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to Advocate Ravi Mahajan, who is representing the complainant Rohit Bhatia, a cloth trader residing on Race Course Road, the Kotwali police registered a formal case against Ankit Kumar in December of last year. The accused had been employed as a cashier and accountant for Bhatia since 2018, handling critical financial responsibilities for the business.
The fraudulent activities came to light when Bhatia conducted a thorough review of his business accounts. He discovered annual losses running into several lakhs of rupees, prompting a more detailed scrutiny. This investigation revealed large-scale embezzlement, with funds allegedly siphoned off over an extended period.
Settlement Attempts and Legal Escalation
In an attempt to resolve the matter, a community-mediated settlement meeting was held. During this meeting, Ankit Kumar reportedly admitted to the wrongdoing and agreed in writing to repay the embezzled amount. As part of this agreement, he paid Rs 9.30 lakh and transferred a house valued at approximately Rs 7 lakh to the complainant.
However, the situation took a contentious turn when the accused later filed a court case against Bhatia. In response, Bhatia escalated the matter by approaching Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. Following this complaint, a formal inquiry was conducted, leading to the registration of the case against Ankit Kumar.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Harmanjeet Singh, the investigating officer in the case, has confirmed that police teams are actively conducting raids to apprehend the accused. He emphasized that the investigation is still in progress, with the possibility of more individuals being nominated as suspects as new evidence emerges. The police are committed to uncovering the full extent of the fraud and ensuring that justice is served.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities in financial management within small businesses and underscores the importance of stringent oversight. The court's decision to deny bail reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough judicial process to address such financial crimes.
