Pune: Misusing COVID-19 protocols at the bank, two suspects stole a cheque from the Deccan Gymkhana branch of Central Bank of India, and later turning it into a bearer cheque, encashed Rs 1.45 lakh from the Thergaon branch of TJSB bank. Based on CCTV footage, Deccan Police have lodged FIR against two suspects in this case.

Gaurav Balkwade (32), a resident of Deccan Gymkhana, has lodged a complaint in this regard. According to police, Balkwade has an account at the Central Bank of India's Deccan Gymkhana branch. He went to the bank on September 10, filled the cheque slip and put it in a tray. The bank had placed a tray for those who come to the bank to drop their checks, as one of their employees had tested positive for COVID-19.

When Balkwade went to the bank to ask if the check had been passed, he was first told that the bank had not received any cheque. After that, they said his cheque was deposited in TJSB Bank at Thergaon. When he inquired about it, he was told by the bank to lodge a complaint with the police.

CCTV footage showed two men stealing a cheque from the bank tray. Police have registered a case against the two suspects. Assistant Police Inspector C M Suryavanshi from Deccan police station is investigating the case further.