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Patna/Shillong, April 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully apprehended a fugitive linked to a bank fraud case involving Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which amounts to Rs 60.86 lakh. This arrest comes nearly 14 years after the initial FIR was filed, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.

The individual, known as Manoj Kumar Sinha, had been evading law enforcement since the FIR was lodged in 2012 and had not cooperated with the investigation, according to the agency.

The CBI initiated the case on April 16, 2012, following a complaint from BSNL against unidentified officials from the State Bank of India (SBI) Main Branch in Shillong, along with BSNL officials and other unknown individuals. The complaint alleged that Rs 60.86 lakh was illicitly withdrawn from a BSNL account held at SBI’s M.G. Road branch in Shillong.

After the preliminary investigation, the agency submitted a chargesheet on December 23, 2013, against another suspect, Sanjeev Kumar Rai, in the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Shillong. Further inquiries led to a supplementary chargesheet being filed on July 22, 2021, against Sinha and others.

CBI officials reported that Sinha had persistently avoided the investigation and was declared an absconder. A court-issued arrest warrant remained unexecuted as he was untraceable for several years.

''Through persistent efforts, including field verification, technical and physical surveillance, call detail record (CDR) analysis, and open-source intelligence (OSINT), the accused was eventually located in Patna, Bihar,'' stated a CBI official.

The CBI team arrested Sinha in Patna on April 28.

The agency indicated that Sinha will be presented before a local court in Patna to secure a transit remand before being taken to Shillong for further legal proceedings in front of the Court of the Special Judge.

This arrest represents a crucial advancement in a long-standing case, with the agency reaffirming its dedication to pursuing absconders and ensuring accountability in financial fraud cases involving public sector entities.