Field officer arrested for embezzling Rs 2.78 lakh

A 31-year-old Field collection officer from Abohar was arrested by Hanumangarh police for allegedly embezzling Rs 2.78 lakh. Bharat Bhushan Shakya, a resident of Nai Abadi, Abohar, had been working for Satin Creditcare Network Limited, a non-banking finance company (NBFC), when the fraud was discovered.

Superintendent of Police Arshad Ali confirmed that Shakya’s arrest followed an investigation into a case filed on July 12, 2024, by Wasim Akram, the regional manager of the company. Akram reported that the company provides financial services to women in groups, with Field collection officers responsible for collecting loan installments and depositing them. However, Shakya had been depositing only half of the collected amounts and signing off the rest as though they had been paid.

The discrepancy came to light after some women complained to the company, prompting an audit. The audit revealed that Shakya had embezzled Rs 2.78 lakh between January 31 and March 8, 2024. He has since been remanded for further interrogation by the court.