Illegal transaction: 27 officials of PSU banks get suspended

New Delhi: Centre on Friday suspended 27 officials of various public sector banks and  transferred 6 officials to non-sensitive posts for trying to convert black money into white following demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes on November 8.   

Finance ministry said that some cases have come to its notice where officials were involved in carrying out transactions which were irregular and violative of RBI’s instructions.

“While all efforts are being made to facilitate genuine transactions, illegalities will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken against individuals involved in irregular and unauthorised activities,” said finance ministry.

Income tax officials have been keeping an eye on various bank branches were there are allegations that banks officials are helping in money laundering, said sources. IT officials have even carried out surveys in many banks branches and checked accounts on suspicion that some officials were involved in illegal transactions, added sources.

Even revenue intelligence officials are visiting many banks secretly to unearth any illegal activity. Earlier in the day,  finance ministry had warned that those indulging in money laundering activities and converting their ill-gotten money into white will not be spared as law-enforcement agencies are already chasing such trails.

“Those indulging in or colluding with money laundering or converting black money into white will not be spared,” said economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das.

“Trails being pursued by agencies. Co-ordinated action underway. Result already visible. Will be more visible in coming days,” Mr Das tweeted.

According to reports, I-T department had recently found approximately Rs 40 crore were deposited in a private bank’s Kashmiri Gate branch in Delhi allegedly with the involvement of bank officials.