MP High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Probe Into PNB's ₹1 Crore Currency Chest Discrepancy

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice on a writ petition filed by a bank officer seeking an independent investigation into an alleged ₹1crore cash discrepancy in the Punjab National Bank's currency chest at Mandsaur. The bench of Justice Sandeep N Bhatt observed:"Learned counsel for the respondent no.2 prays for time to file reply in the matter. Learned counsel appearing for respondent no.6-10 prays for time to file vakalatnama within two days. Considered. Learned counsel for the respondent no.2 as well as respondent no.6-10 shall file their reply within three weeks. List this matter immediately after three weeks". Per the petition, the bank officer had joined the currency chest on May 6 2025, as Branch Manager and was formally handed over charge of the currency chest from O P Sharma, who continued to remain posted at the same branch till June 2, 2025. The petition claimed that while examining records, the petitioner noticed serious and unexplained discrepancies between actual entries reflected in Bin Cards and entries made in daily currency chest reports submitted to higher authorities. The petition claimed that there was a continuing pattern of manipulation of official records, suppression of actual cash position and possible preparation of incorrect reports for concealing the real shortage in the currency chest.The petitioner, upon discovering the discrepancy, submitted a detailed communication to the Circle Head of PNB in Ujjain on May 13, 2025. The petitioner disclosed a discrepancy of ₹1crore. The matter was then brought to the notice of the concerned officials and to the notice of OP Sharma. During the period preceding the scheduled audit of September 22, 2025, it was repeatedly represented that the issue would be managed. Subsequently, the petitioner discovered that the ₹1 crore amount was allegedly arranged by the local cooperative bank, Smriti Nagrik Sahakari Bank, for audit purposes, and the said cash was returned thereafter. The petition claimed that these facts required detailed examination through records, transactions and statements of concerned officials. The petition also stated that this matter was brought to the notice of another employee of the branch, who was employed as Joint Custodian. On May 19, 2025, the petitioner received an email from the Zonal Audit Office in Bhopal seeking his explanation. Subsequently, another email was issued on May 26, 2025, referring to a supplementary investigation. The allegations in the email were related to non-maintenance of the takeover register for temporary joint custodians and storage of duplicate vault. The petition claimed that despite intimating about the discrepancy, the bank is attempting to shift the responsibility to the petitioner for the manipulation of records. The petitioner subsequently issued a presentation to the Director of CBI on June 8, 2026, seeking registration of an independent inquiry into the discrepancy. The petitioner also submitted a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, but no effective action was taken. Thus, the petition approached the High Court, seeking an inquiry into the same by an independent agency through examination of audit records, CCTV footage, cash movement records, and vault access records. Case Title: Anuj Sharma v Union of India, WP No. 20069 of 2026For Petitioner: Advocate Yamak Sharma For State: Government Advocate Arpan JainClick here to read/download the Order

MP High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Probe Into PNB's ₹1 Crore Currency Chest Discrepancy

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MP High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Probe Into PNB's ₹1 Crore Currency Chest Discrepancy

Jayanti Pahwa

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