Woman complains over missing pension; CPM leader bank employee suspended over alleged fraud

MALAPPURAM: A bank employee has been suspended after allegedly misappropriating a woman’s widow’s pension at the Moorkanad branch of the Perinthalmanna Urban Bank in Malappuram. The employee, K T Noufal, allegedly forged the woman’s signature and took Rs 20,000, the pension amount due to her for 10 months.

The alleged fraud came to light after the woman approached the bank complaining that she had not received her pension. An internal inquiry by the bank subsequently found that Noufal had allegedly taken the money using her forged signature.

Noufal is a DYFI leader and a member of the CPM Mankada area committee. After the bank initiated disciplinary action, the CPM also took action against Noufal. The party said he had been expelled from the party for one year.

The woman has also lodged a complaint with the police, and legal proceedings in connection with the incident are underway.