Bhubaneswar, Dec 7 (Reporter) The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested a former Manager of the Punjab National Bank from Burdwan, West Bengal in a Rs 1.23 crore bank fraud case. EOW sources said the accused Vijay Sonakar,the former Manager of Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) circle office in Balasore, was arrested on Friday. The accused was produced before the Ld. Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Purba Burdwan, West Bengal, and brought on transit remand. He will be produced before the Designated Court under OPID Act, Balasore on Saturday. Sonakar was arrested based on a complaint made by Mrinal Kanti Mohanti, Chief Manager of Balasore PNB. Mohanti had alleged that Sonkar misappropriated public fund by issuing directions to the Balasore Branch manager for the transfer of Rs 1,23,12,236.01 to unauthorised accounts in a fraudulent manner, during his tenure as manager at the circle office from August 31, 2020, to June 4, 2022. Sonkar had committed a similar fraud to the tune of Rs 80 lakh while posted at Rishra Morepukur Branch, Hooghly, during 2022, and was subsequently removed from service on March 24, 2024, EOW sources said. “Several incriminating documents like personal files, forged letters, vouchers, statement of bank accounts, and registers have been seized. Further investigation is underway,” it added...////...