Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): The Kerala Police arrested prime accused MR Bijulal, a former senior accountant with the Sub Treasury in Thiruvananathapuram, in connection with siphoning off Rs two crore from the Vanchiyoor Sub Treasury, here on Wednesday morning.
The police nabbed Bijulal in a dramatic manner as he reached the advocate's office to surrender before the court. Recording his arrest, the police have taken him to a secret camp for further interrogation.
The investigation in the treasury financial fraud case was handed over by the local police to the crime branch wing. Crime Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police Zulfiqar is in charge of the investigation.
Bijulal was found to have allegedly swindled Rs two crore from the District Collector's account with the Sub Treasury using the password of a retired officer to process the transaction and tampering with the treasury software. He went in hiding since the fraud was discovered and reported by the Treasury Officer.
Earlier on Monday, he was terminated from Government service with immediate effect.
Bijulal, who had reached the office of Advocate Poonthura Soman to surrender before the court, spoke to a section of the media present there. He claimed that he is innocent in the case. He told the media that the money he had transferred to his wife's and his sister's accounts was that which he had received by playing online rummy.
Read: NIA clarifies on charging UAPA in the 'diplomatic channel gold smuggling case'
Bijulal, who went in hiding immediately after the financial fraud was discovered, reached the state capital today morning, and gave an interview to a TV channel. He stated that he was innocent.
Earlier, the anticipatory bail plea submitted by Bijulal through e-filing at the Thiruvananthapuram Magistrate Court was rejected. The Court had pointed out that he could file directly as the Court has reopened.
A high-level meeting, chaired by the Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, decided on terminating the senior accountant for siphoning off the money from the Sub Treasury. The officials at the meeting considered Bijulal's offence as a cybercrime of serious nature. The order was effected without even serving a notice.
The incident of financial fraud at the Sub Treasury came to light last week when the Treasury Officer had checked the accounts to send to the Accountant General. When a shortage was noticed and the accounts did not tally up, the Officer checked in detail. He found that Rs two crore had been swindled from the District Collector's account with the Sub Treasury in Vanchiyoor on May 31.
Except for the officer who discovered the fraud, all other staff with the Vanchiyoor Sub Treasury were served transfer orders. Further action would be initiated in case the involvement of any other staff is established in the case, the high-level meeting had decided.
Read: Kerala Gold smuggling: Customs Dept submits copy of Swapna Suresh's statement to court
