Nurses from Kerala
Cases have been registered in Kerala following complaints filed by the Deputy General Manager of Gulf Bank against ten individuals who obtained loans while employed with the Ministry of Health and then left the country without repaying them.
KOCHI: Hundreds of nurses from Kerala have allegedly defrauded a bank in Kuwait of nearly ₹700 crore before departing the Gulf country. A total of 1,425 nurses from the state obtained large loans from Gulf Bank, “willfully” defaulted on repayments, and migrated to Canada, Australia, and European countries.
So far, cases have been registered in Kerala based on complaints filed by Kuwaiti national Mohammed Abdul Vassey, Deputy General Manager of Gulf Bank, against 10 individuals who took loans while working with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and left the country without repaying the loans.
According to advocate Thomas J. Anakkallumkal, who represents the bank in Kerala, “Most of these nurses had taken loans earlier and repaid them promptly. However, when demand for medical practitioners surged in Europe, Australia, and Canada, they took large loans from the bank and migrated to greener pastures, after which they stopped repaying the loans.” The bank has identified 1,425 nurses from Kerala involved in this fraud. As they are no longer in Kuwait, the bank is unable to initiate further action, Anakkallumkal stated.
Mohammed visited Kerala last month and met with the state police chief before filing a complaint.
“The bank has identified 10 loan defaulters currently residing in Kerala. The police have filed FIRs against them. One nurse returned to Kerala, purchased a luxury apartment in Kochi, and is now working at a hospital here. We are in the process of identifying additional nurses, and more FIRs will follow,” he added.
The police have registered cases against the following individuals for defaulting on their loans: Shafeek Ali of Kalamassery (₹1.25 crore), Delna Thankachan of Vadayampady (₹93.10 lakh), Biju Moonjely of Anappara (₹98.40 lakh), Rita Shibu of Aimury (₹1.22 crore), Raghul Retheeshan of Muvattupuzha (₹1.21 crore), Robin Mathew of Nellimattom (₹63.24 lakh), Sindhya Alex of Varapuzha (₹70.07 lakh), Deepak Gopi of Nayarambalam (₹1.16 crore), and Keerthimon of Kumarakom (₹1.10 crore).
The Kerala Police have begun an investigation, and the bank will provide further details soon. The cases are being registered at the police stations in Kalamassery, Njarackal, Varapuzha, Kaladay, Muvattupuzha, Onnukal, Kodanad, and Kumarakom. The charges against the accused fall under IPC Section 420 (cheating) and Section 406 (criminal breach of trust).
Although the fraud occurred in Kuwait, there are legal provisions for prosecution in India under Indian law, according to a police officer. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing, and the police have already begun recording statements from some of the accused. The bank intends to provide additional information to the police shortly.
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