By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 30 Jun: Dehradun resident Sharad Kashyap has alleged that a joint savings bank account had been fraudulently opened and operated in his name at the GMS Road branch of IndusInd Bank by forging his signatures and misusing his identity documents while he was residing overseas. He has accused his younger brother of opening and operating the bank account. Claiming that transactions amounting to several crores of rupees were carried out through the account without his knowledge or authorisation, Kashyap has demanded a comprehensive investigation by multiple state and central agencies into the matter.
In a statement issued to the media, Kashyap also alleged that the account was opened without his knowledge, consent or physical presence in India by using his old Know Your Customer (KYC) documents. He claimed that the joint account was allegedly opened and operated by his younger brother, Akash Kashyap, without his consent and that funds were transferred to family members, family-promoted entities and non-profit organisations. He further alleged that the transactions may also involve possible financial irregularities and tax evasion.
Kashyap also claimed that he possesses documentary evidence to substantiate his allegations, including the official travel and residence records establishing that he was living or travelling abroad during the period when the account was allegedly opened and operated. He asserted that he had never authorised the opening or operation of any such bank account in his name.
According to Kashyap, after discovering the alleged unauthorised account, he had submitted a formal written representation to the bank on 8 June 2026, seeking copies of the account opening form, complete account statements, KYC documents relied upon by the bank, specimen signatures, Customer Due Diligence (CDD) records, CCTV footage and details of the officials who processed the account. He claimed that although the bank acknowledged receipt of his representation, the requested documents have not been furnished to him so far.
Kashyap further alleged that subsequent communications from bank officials informed him that the account statements had already been handed over to the police, while at the same time he was denied access to the records on the ground that the matter had been referred to the bank’s legal department. He also alleged that despite repeated follow-ups, he had not received the information sought by him and claimed that the conduct of the branch officials had been uncooperative. He added that representations submitted to the Chairman, Managing Director and other senior executives of IndusInd Bank had also failed to elicit the desired response.
Describing the matter as one involving alleged identity theft, forgery, criminal breach of trust, fraud and criminal conspiracy, Kashyap charged that it reflected serious lapses in regulatory compliance relating to KYC norms, anti-money laundering obligations and internal banking controls.
Speaking to Garhwal Post today, he shared that recently he had also apprised the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and other senior government officials of the matter and had sought assistance as well as police protection. Kashyap added that he is also seeking an appointment with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to apprise him of the fraud and seek probe and justice. He has urged the authorities to preserve all documentary and electronic evidence, verify the legality of the account opening process, identify any officials responsible for lapses, and trace the source and destination of the transactions.
He has called for an impartial investigation by agencies including the Income Tax Department, the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Reserve Bank of India to establish the facts and fix accountability wherever necessary.
Meanwhile, speaking to Garhwal Post, Navin Kumar, Deputy Branch Manager of IndusInd Bank’s GMS Road branch, confirmed that the bank had received a complaint from Sharad Kashyap regarding the alleged unauthorised account. He said the matter had been referred to the bank’s legal team for examination. Kumar further stated that, apart from the branch-level action, the bank’s headquarters has also initiated an independent investigation into the complaints submitted by Kashyap. However, he said that he is not in position to provide any timeline during which the probe would be completed.
Efforts were also made by this correspondent to obtain the response of Akash Kashyap, against whom the allegations have been levelled. He was contacted through telephone, SMS and WhatsApp. However, he neither answered the calls nor responded to the messages till the filing of this report. The outcome of the bank’s internal investigation and any subsequent inquiry by the competent authorities is awaited.
