Khargone Bank Cashier Arrested After Multi-State Chase
The Jaitapur police in Khargone district have arrested a woman cashier from the District Cooperative Central Bank's Thibgaon branch, who allegedly embezzled more than Rs 41.58 lakh and evaded capture for nearly three weeks.
The accused, 44-year-old Ritu Goswami, was taken into custody following an extensive multi-state search operation led by Jaitapur police, according to Khargone Superintendent of Police Ravindra Verma.
The embezzlement was uncovered after a committee formed by the bank conducted a five-day audit following Goswami's disappearance on May 25. The inquiry revealed that Rs 41,58,095 was missing from the bank's cash balance. Based on these findings, an FIR was registered at Jaitapur police station on May 29 against Goswami, assistant branch manager Trayambak Vani, and branch manager Rajesh Rathore.
A Special Investigation Team was assembled, and investigators tracked the accused's movements using technical surveillance and field intelligence.
SP Verma stated, "Goswami initially fled to her in-laws' residence in Badlapur, Mumbai, while allegedly informing relatives that she was on leave from the bank. Investigators later discovered that she had used part of the embezzled money to take her husband, child, and in-laws on air travel and a trip to Delhi. Family members were allegedly instructed to switch off their mobile phones to avoid contact from bank officials."
A police team subsequently reached Delhi and spent four days in the Rohini area gathering information. Officers concealed their identities, worked at local grocery shops, and even assisted in door-to-door LPG cylinder deliveries to collect leads. Police also engaged local children in parks to gather information about the suspect's whereabouts, said SP.
Before police could apprehend her in Delhi, Goswami left for Indore. Facing sustained pressure from investigators, she eventually surrendered and was arrested in Khargone.
Police recovered Rs 1.49 lakh in cash, three mobile phones, and a bank identity card from her possession. During preliminary interrogation, the accused told police that she had lost nearly Rs 20 lakh in online gaming. Police sought her remand for further questioning regarding the missing funds and the involvement of other accused persons.
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