Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police on Saturday arrested Hitesh Mehta, General Manager of New India Cooperative Bank, in connection with a Rs 122 crore financial fraud case. The arrest came after several hours of questioning.
This marks the first major action following the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) imposition of restrictions on the bank.
Mehta will be presented in court on Sunday, where the EOW will seek his custody to trace the money trail and establish how the funds were embezzled. His colleagues are also under the EOW’s radar.
Earlier, on Saturday, EOW officials raided Mehta’s residence at Aryavart Society, NL Complex, Dahisar. After searching his 14th-floor apartment, they took him into custody and brought him to the EOW office for questioning.
An FIR was registered earlier at Dadar Police Station based on a complaint filed by Devarshi Shishir Kumar Ghosh, the bank’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The FIR accuses Mehta and several senior officials from the bank’s accounts department of financial embezzlement.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly misused their positions, conspired, and siphoned off Rs 122 crore from the bank. The case is being investigated under the supervision of DCP Mangesh Shinde, who oversees financial crimes in the banking sector.
The fraud is believed to have taken place between 2020 and 2025.
Amid financial irregularities, the RBI on Thursday imposed restrictions on New India Cooperative Bank due to liquidity concerns. Effective from February 13, 2025, the bank has been barred from allowing withdrawals, though customers can adjust loans against deposits. However, essential operational expenses, such as salaries, rent, and utility bills, remain permitted.
The RBI’s move has triggered panic among depositors, who rushed to bank branches seeking withdrawals, only to be turned away. The central bank has stated that these restrictions are necessary to protect customers’ interests. Additionally, the bank has been prohibited from selling any assets during the six-month restriction period.
New India Cooperative Bank has been struggling with financial losses in recent years.
(IANS)
