CBI: Chargesheet against former bank manager

KOCHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation  (CBI) has filed a chargesheet before Ernakulam CBI special court implicating a former bank manager of Andhra Bank and two other accused  in connection with a corruption case.C P Sreenath, formerly manager of Chengannur branch of Andhra bank, Renjith Pannackal and Johnson M Varkey, partners of Alpha Overseas Consultants, CMS College Junction, Kottayam are the accused in the case. They have been charged under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and criminal conspiracy. A G Remya, an assistant manager with Andhra Bank who was also an accused, has been made an approver.“In 2008, the accused hatched a criminal conspiracy to obtain undue pecuniary advantages by misusing their official position. First accused Sreenath granted education loan letter and the letter head of Andhra bank in the name of the students, who are intending to go to Australia on student visa. In pursuance of the conspiracy the accused had obtained commission from the students,” CBI alleged in the chargesheet.The CBI stated that, the Alpha Overseas Consultants based on Kottayam were canvassing students by offering assistance for overseas employment and securing visa for them from  educational institutions in Australia. “After canvassing a candidate, the agency would open savings account in the name of the students with the Chengannur branch of the  Andhra bank. Then the students would be   asked to remit Indian rupees equivalent to first semester fees in their account for taking DD for sending the amount to the respective colleges in Australia. The partners of the agency compelled the applicants to pay commission at a rate of 3.5 percent of the total amount of educational loan,” the  chargesheet said. The agency also manipulated other required documents like financial status of the candidates. When a candidate/student received visa from Australian authorities, the agency exacted Rs. 50,000 as registration charge, Rs. 50,000 as interest of the loan and Rs. 10,000 for other expenses from each candidate, the chargesheet  said. The chargesheet is filed by SP VK Raghu Kumar of Thiruvananthapuram CBI Unit.