Private bank sales executive held for embezzling tourism dept funds of Rs 2.47 crore

BAGALKOT: The CEN police have cracked the case of misappropriation of Rs 2.47 crore in the Tourism Department with the arrest of the main accused, Suraj Sagar (36), a sales executive with IDBI Bank.

Suraj had diverted funds from the Tourism Department’s three accounts with the bank to the accounts of his friends and relatives between 2021 and 2024 in 54 transactions. The police suspect that more bank employees may be involved in the embezzlement of funds.

Close on the heels of the Maharshi Valmiki ST Develepment Corporation scam, misappropriation of Rs 2.47 crore in the Tourism Department had come to light. An FIR has been lodged against a bank manager and 11 staffers in this connection.

It is alleged that Rs 2,47,73,999 which was in the DC account head of the Tourism Department in IDBI Bank were channelled to other accounts. The issue came to light after Tourism Deparment Deputy Director Gopal Hittalamani lodged a complaint and the police began investigation.

Three accounts were being operated in the name of the district deputy commissioner and the district tourism development committee president in IDBI Bank. Funds parked in these accounts were diverted to other accounts.

Over the last three years, a total of 1,35,96,500 was diverted illegally from account number 1071104000160063, Rs 1,01,33,750 from account number 1071104000165228 and Rs 43,749 from account number 1071104000165501 in 54 transactions, the complaint said.