Back
MP Issues Notice on Plea Seeking Independent Investigation Into PNB Currency Chest Discrepancy
The has stepped into the center of a burgeoning banking scandal, issuing formal notices to the and other respondents regarding an alleged ₹1 crore discrepancy at the (PNB) currency chest in Mandsaur. The bench, presided over by Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt, has directed the relevant parties to file their replies within three weeks.
A Trail of Discrepancies The petitioner, Anuj Sharma, who assumed the role of Branch Manager at the Mandsaur currency chest on , alleges that he inherited a system riddled with inconsistencies. Upon taking charge from his predecessor, O P Sharma, the petitioner reportedly discovered significant gaps between the physical cash held in the vault and the entries recorded in the bin cards and daily reports submitted to higher authorities.
According to the petition, these were not mere clerical errors but a "continuing pattern of manipulation" aimed at concealing a genuine cash shortage within the currency chest.
Allegations of 'Audit Management' The situation took a more sinister turn as the date for a scheduled audit on , approached. The petitioner claims that assurances were given that the missing funds would be "managed." Subsequently, it was alleged that ₹1 crore was temporarily arranged from a local cooperative bank, , specifically to satisfy audit requirements, before being returned once the inspection concluded.
Beyond the missing cash, the petition highlights systemic issues, including the failure to maintain a proper takeover register for temporary joint custodians and the unauthorized storage of a duplicate vault.
The Quest for Accountability Anuj Sharma’s attempts to escalate the issue within the bank appear to have backfired. After alerting the Circle Head in Ujjain in May 2025, he claims that instead of an internal investigation into the discrepancies, he became the target of questioning by the in Bhopal regarding documentation lapses.
Fearing that the bank is attempting to shift the blame onto him for the pre-existing record manipulation, the petitioner sought intervention from the Director of the and the local police, before eventually moving the for an .
Key Observations The proceedings at the remained focused on the procedural aspect of ensuring all parties were heard. Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt noted:
"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."
What Lies Ahead The ’s decision to signals into the serious allegations of . With the court now requiring responses from the stakeholders, the spotlight is firmly on the internal processes of the PNB Mandsaur branch. The petitioner is urging the court to order an extensive examination, including a review of CCTV footage and vault access records, which could determine if the ₹1 crore "disappearance" was a case of or .
The case continues to develop as all eyes remain on the upcoming replies from the respondents, which will determine the nature of the court's further intervention.
