Former DGM accuses KCCB administrator of harassment, seeks action under SC/ST act
Shimla, Jan 15,
K.C . Bhardwaj former Deputy General Manager of the Kangra Central Cooperative bank (KCCB) has accused the bank’s Administrator, an IAS officer, and other senior officials of harassment and caste-based discrimination, and has sought action against them under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In a written complaint submitted to the Superintendent of Police, Kangra at Dharamshala, Bhardwaj alleged that he was subjected to sustained mental harassment, professional humiliation and wrongful dismissal from service despite court proceedings being pending.
In his complaint, Bhardwaj, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, alleged that the Administrator and senior officers misled authorities, bypassed due process and issued his dismissal order late in the evening hours, allegedly in violation of a High Court order.
He claimed that false and distorted information was placed on record to damage his service career, cause financial loss and harm his social reputation.
Terming the action as arbitrary and mala fide, Bhardwaj has sought registration of a criminal case under the SC/ST Act and other relevant provisions, while police authorities are stated to be examining the complaint and attached documents.
Noteworthy that the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank (KCCB), one of the largest cooperative banking institutions in Himachal Pradesh, has figured repeatedly in the news over the past few years due to administrative and legal controversies. Most notably, the bank came under national scrutiny following the detection of a multi-crore loan fraud, which led to investigations by central agencies and triggered a series of criminal, departmental and recovery proceedings. Also read: FIR registered against businessman and KCCB officials in Rs. 20 Cr loan scam. Apart from financial irregularities, the bank has also witnessed frequent litigation involving service matters, disciplinary actions and governance-related disputes, resulting in sustained judicial and regulatory oversight. While successive administrations have asserted that corrective measures are being undertaken, KCCB continues to face questions over institutional transparency, internal controls and decision-making processes.
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