KOZHIKODE: Former manager MP Rijil, who was absconding in the case of embezzling several crores from Punjab National Bank, has been taken into custody by the crime branch. Rijil was taken into custody from Erimala near Chathammangalam. The crime branch is questioning him. In the audit report of the bank, it was found that about Rs 21.5 crore was diverted from various accounts of the Punjab National Bank's Link Road branch. Rs 10.62 crores were lost from the account of the Kozhikode Corporation.

It is reported that the money was diverted from the accounts of private individuals as well. Money was lost from nine accounts of private individuals and eight accounts of corporations. Meanwhile, it was found that money was deposited back into some accounts.

It was later found that Punjab National Bank Link Road branch manager MP Rijil had made money transactions, including for online rummy, from his Axis Bank account. Rijil went into hiding on November 29 soon after the incident came to light. Although Rijil had filed an anticipatory bail plea, it was rejected by the Kozhikode Magistrate Court.