Tried to withdraw ₹2,000 from bank:Bank kept ₹2 lakh, converted it into FD and insurance; claiming victim’s displacement caused their loss

Families displaced from Khapa and Muhli villages in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Sagar are claiming that their compensation money has disappeared. Premsingh Adivasi said, “Out of 12 lakh rupees, 7 lakh are missing. When I tried to withdraw 2,000 rupees, the bank added two zeros and took 2 lakh instead. I am illiterate and have lost everything.” Narmadabai added, “The money was kept for my daughters’ weddings, but it is gone. How will we get them married now?” The displaced families allege that they were told to invest the compensation in Fixed Deposits, but were instead made to sign insurance policies, leaving them financially ruined. Blank checks were taken from some victims after getting their signatures. Similarly, money has been withdrawn from the bank accounts of the displaced in various transactions. The matter came to light when the victims went to the bank to withdraw money. The case is related to the Rehli HDFC Bank branch. The victims have lodged a complaint at the bank branch. Victims allege that bank employees fraudulently withdrew money from their accounts. So far, more than 20 victims have come forward. They have also complained to Rahli SDM Kuldeep Parashar, after which he formed a team and started an investigation into the matter. The Bhaskar team reached out to the displaced families who were victims of fraud and spoke with them. Read the full report Virangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve: 93 Villages Removed, 44 Villages Displaced
Villages located amidst the forest are being displaced from Virangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. In this process, 93 villages in the Tiger Reserve area are to be removed, out of which 44 villages have been displaced so far, including villages Khapa and Muhli. This displacement has been ongoing since 2014. Earlier, a compensation of 10 lakh rupees per unit was given, but currently, this amount has been increased to 15 lakh rupees per unit. Regarding displacement, bank accounts were opened at HDFC Bank, Rehli branch. Recently, compensation amounts were deposited into these bank accounts. It is alleged that after the amount was deposited, bank employees took out insurance policies without the permission of the displaced persons and withdrew money through blank checks. Now the displaced persons are distressed and are demanding their money back. Someone had to marry off their daughter, someone had to buy land
During the displacement, the victims left everything behind and came out of their villages. Some started living in huts in Garhakota, while others in Murga Darariya and other villages. The compensation amount received upon displacement reached their bank accounts. The victims kept this money in their bank accounts, considering it safe. Among them, some had to marry off their daughters, while others had to buy land and houses. But when they needed this money and went to the bank to withdraw it, they found nothing. It was discovered that there was no money in the bank accounts. With the money missing from their accounts, the displaced persons feel cheated. Now read the pain of displaced families…
Displaced Rajkumar Vasudev says that bank employee Rahul Sir took two blank checks from him. He had gotten both signed. He had withdrawn and given me 20 thousand rupees from one check, but kept the second check with him. Through the said check, 50 thousand rupees have been withdrawn from the account from Garhakota. When I reached the bank, the matter of money withdrawal came to light. They said that you have withdrawn money from Garhakota. Vasudev says that I am uneducated and have never been to Garhakota Bank. Now Rahul Sir has gone out. The bank officials have been giving me the runaround for a month, saying ‘today or tomorrow’. Rajkumar said that he also made my insurance policy. He had said that I would get two lakh rupees for one lakh rupees in 5 years, but now I am repeatedly getting calls saying that I have to deposit 60 thousand rupees every year. But I don’t have money, where should I pay from? Premsingh said – 7 lakh rupees out of 12 lakh rupees have been withdrawn
Victim Premsingh Adivasi says that he received money as compensation upon displacement. A total of 12 lakh rupees were deposited in the account opened in Rahli HDFC Bank branch, out of which 7 lakh rupees have been withdrawn. Even the deposited amount is not being received. I suspect that bank employees have withdrawn money from the accounts. Premsingh said that when he went to the bank and withdrew 2000 rupees, they added zeros and withdrew 2 lakh rupees. They gave us 2 thousand and kept the rest with themselves. The money in the account was kept for buying land. After displacement, I am living with my family in the jungle, making a shelter with polythene. I am not educated. We have nothing left. I was relying on the money received as compensation. Had made an FD, but they made an insurance policy
Ashokarani Vasudev says that she had made an FD in the bank, but they created an insurance policy worth one and a half lakh rupees. Her husband Kamlesh Vasudev is ill. When money was needed, she went to the bank and asked to withdraw money, but the money could not be withdrawn. They are saying that the insurance policy is for 5 years. It cannot be broken now. Whereas we never even made an insurance policy. We had asked for an FD. Due to not getting the money, she is unable to get her husband treated. The entire family is distressed. Draupadi alleges – 14 lakh were deposited, now it’s empty
Draupadi says that 14 lakh rupees were deposited in her bank account. She withdrew the interest amount. The remaining 14 lakh rupees were deposited, but when she came to the bank, she found out that the account was empty. The money has been withdrawn. When she spoke to bank employee Nitin, he mentioned getting an insurance policy done. But I never asked for an insurance policy to be made. He made it on his own. Now she is worried about the money. SDM said – complaint received, team is investigating
Rehli SDM Kuldeep Parashar said that a complaint has been received in the matter. He has spoken to senior bank officials. Also, a team has been formed and an investigation is being conducted. The team is investigating by taking documents from account holders. Under what circumstances and how was the amount deposited in the accounts withdrawn, and what were people told regarding the creation of insurance policies and FDs? An investigation is being conducted on all these points. Further action will be taken based on the investigation. HDFC Corporate Communication Officer said – no information
When Rehli HDFC Bank branch manager Vivek Dubey was contacted regarding the matter, he refused to comment on it. He said that Corporate Communication Rishikesh handles media interactions and provided his number, but when contacted on that number, he said that he had no information regarding the matter.