CID sleuths nab accused after 11 months

Hunsur: The CID, which is investigating the Rs.40.75 crore scam at Hunsur and Bilikere Branches of Mysore and Chamarajanagar District Co-operative Central Bank’s (MCDCC), has arrested Ramappa Poojar, the Bank’s Hunsur Branch former Manager, four days ago.

Ramappa had allegedly misappropriated crores of rupees meant to be distributed to poor farmers and was hoodwinking the Police by frequently changing his place of stay which had become a challenge to the Police. As he used to change his place not only in various places across the State but also in other States, the Police had a tough time tracing him and by the time the Police collected information of his place of stay and go there, Ramappa used to vacate the place, sources said.

A team, led by CID Dy.SP Sandesh Kumar was formed and after obtaining information that Ramappa was staying in Bengaluru, the CID team, without wasting any time, rushed to Bengaluru and nabbed Ramappa. He was produced before a Court and the CID, which took the accused into their custody for a few days to conduct interrogation, brought him to Bilikere and Hunsur branches of the Bank yesterday and conducted enquiry.

As soon as the news about Ramappa being brought to the Bank by CID sleuths spread, hundreds of farmers gathered in front of the Bank and a few farmers tried to get near Ramappa but were prevented by Hunsur Police, who provided tight security.

Sources said that Dy.SP Sandesh Kumar-led CID team, which has intensified the investigation has collected vital information and has instructed the CEOs of all Co-op. Societies coming under MCDCC Bank’s Hunsur Branch to be present for enquiry.

The Scam: MCDCC Bank provides loans to farmers through Co-op. Societies coming under it and accordingly, the Bank had sent money to its branches in Hunsur and Bilikere. But Ramappa, who was the then Manager of the Hunsur Branch, misappropriated a total of Rs.48,75,53,206 (Rs.27 crore of Hunsur Branch and Rs.13 crore of Bilikere Branch) by transferring the money to his account.

It is said that Ramappa, who had deposited Rs.27 crore to Hunsur Branch account number 20313240, Rs.13 to Bilikere Branch account number 66412, Rs.25 lakh to account number 2032, Rs.11 crore to the main office account number 20318930 and Rs.1 crore to Bandipalya branch account number 203625, had transferred the money to his personal account in Hunsur Axis Bank and Bilikere SBI Bank.

As soon as the information about the money being misappropriated came to light, the then General Manager (GM) of the MCDCC Bank formed an investigation team and during enquiry Ramappa’s fraud came to be known and the GM began to initiate action against Ramappa. 

On Sept.17, 2018, cases were filed at Hunsur Police Station against Ramappa Poojar and Bilikere Branch Manager A.J. Naveen Kumar and B.B. Krishna. But Ramappa, using his influence, allegedly tried to stop the Police investigation. 

On Sept. 26, 2018, during the Bank’s Annual General Body Meeting, there was ruckus pertaining to the scam and the then Bank Director G.D. Harish Gowda, who is now the President, demanded that the scam be handed over to CID and was successful in it. 

The case was transferred to the CID and the CID, which took up the investigation, traced the location of Ramappa Poojar to Bengaluru and finally arrested him.