Customers of Punjab National Bank’s Sector Pi-1 branch in Greater Noida have approached the police after alleging that large sums were withdrawn or transferred from their accounts without authorisation. The complaints have prompted protests outside the branch, the suspension of five employees, including the branch manager, and separate inquiries by the bank and police.
The suspected amount involved is nearly Rs 35 crore, according to a PTI report citing customers. Neither the bank nor the police has officially confirmed the figure or established how many account holders may have been affected.
The allegations came to light after customers checked their accounts and found substantial differences in their balances. Some also claimed that fixed deposits had been closed before maturity without their consent.
Vijendra Singh, one of the customers, told PTI that his account balance had dropped from approximately Rs 87–88 lakh to just Rs 1 lakh.
Another account holder, Haneef Khan, alleged that Rs 39 lakh had gone missing from his savings account. He said he had not received a transaction alert and had not signed any document authorising the transfer.
Zakir, a third customer, claimed that Rs 9.5 lakh was missing from his account. He said he learnt about the discrepancy when he visited the bank.
Customers have alleged that funds were moved to other accounts without their knowledge and that some fixed deposits were prematurely closed without their approval. The complaints led several account holders to gather outside the branch on Wednesday, seeking explanations and the return of their money. Members of a farmers’ union also held a sit-in, with police deployed at the site to maintain order.
Some account holders have alleged that their attempts to obtain transaction details or update their passbooks were repeatedly delayed. According to them, bank staff cited an ongoing audit by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) when they sought information. Customers claim these delays made it difficult for them to examine their account records and identify the suspected irregularities sooner.
Beta-2 police have registered an FIR against PNB employees following a complaint filed by Shrichand, a resident of Birondi. As per the latest update, 18 customers have submitted written complaints.
Sources have indicated that the investigation could be handed over to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The probe is expected to examine the alleged transfers, the premature closure of fixed deposits and the people responsible for the transactions.
PNB’s anti-corruption team is also conducting an inquiry into the matter.
The bank has suspended five employees, including the branch manager, and replaced the staff posted at the branch following the complaints.
PNB management has assured customers that their grievances will be addressed and that efforts will be made to recover the money. However, the amount involved and the number of affected customers remain unconfirmed.
The police investigation and the bank’s internal inquiry are expected to establish the extent of the alleged irregularities and determine responsibility. For now, customers are seeking the return of their savings and answers about the transactions they say they did not authorise.