MP High Court Seeks Replies On Suspended PNB Officer's Plea Alleging ₹1 Crore Currency Chest Discrepancy

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought responses from the Union of India, Punjab National Bank (PNB), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other authorities on a petition filed by a suspended PNB officer alleging that nearly ₹1 crore is unaccounted for in the Currency Chest of the bank's Mandsaur branch and seeking an independent investigation into the alleged irregularity.

Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt, hearing the matter at the Indore Bench, granted the respondents three weeks to file their replies after counsel for the CBI and Punjab National Bank sought additional time. The matter has been directed to be listed immediately thereafter.

The petition was filed by Anuj Sharma, who served as Branch Manager and Joint Custodian of the Currency Chest before being placed under suspension. Sharma claims that while scrutinising Currency Chest records, he discovered discrepancies indicating an apparent shortage of around ₹1 crore, allegedly arising from inconsistencies in Bin Cards, Bin Registers and Daily Currency Chest Reports relating to ₹500 denomination notes.

According to the petition, the discrepancies first appeared in January 2025 and continued for several months. Sharma contends that after identifying the irregularities, he reported them to senior PNB officials, including the Circle Head at Ujjain, and sought a detailed inquiry. He further alleges that instead of investigating the reported discrepancy, the bank suspended him, despite him being the officer who first detected and reported the issue.

Seeking protection as a whistleblower, Sharma has requested the High Court to direct an independent probe by the CBI or another impartial agency. The petition also expresses concern that crucial evidence, including records, audit documents, electronic data and CCTV footage, could be tampered with if immediate steps are not taken.

Observing the preliminary submissions, the High Court has now called for responses from all concerned authorities before proceeding further.