Sonali Bank official suspended over cheque theft

An official of Sonali Bank's Lalmatia branch has been put under suspension after more than 50 cheques were stolen from its clearing section. Senior Officer Farida Begum was 'temporarily dismissed' from the service for dereliction of duties after the cheques were found missing from a drawer at 12noon on Sunday. Deputy General Manager of Sonali Bank’s Ramna regional office Md Kamruzzaman said a 4-member committee was formed to investigate the matter on Tuesday. A team headed by Ramna Principal Office’s AGM Mushfikur Rahman was already working in Lalmatia branch, he said. A general diary was filed with Mohammadpur Police Station. Sources say the cheques, submitted by various persons and institutions, amounted to over Tk 10 million but the branch’s Manager Rejaul Karim Khan claimed the amount was not over Tk 3 million although they did not have the precise figure, according to a news agency.