Gangtok: The Sikkim Vigilance Department conducted raids on the residences and offices of five State Bank of Sikkim (SBS) officials on charges of bribery.
The raids, carried out in Gangtok, Pakyong, Jorethang, and Sombaria, uncovered cash amounting to lakhs as well as movable and immovable assets.
The Sikkim Vigilance Department acted on inputs received, subsequently filing an FIR against the five senior-ranking officials. According to a press release, these officials had received significant bribe money from various SBS customers over the past 5-6 years by crediting it to their respective bank accounts.
One of the accused bank officials reportedly received more than Rs. 1 crore in bribes from numerous customers. The unique modus operandi involved demanding and accepting bribes by instructing customers to transfer money in lakhs to their respective bank accounts periodically.
The raids were ongoing at the time of this writing.
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