UPGB Officer Looted in Gonda, Union Questions Police Role and Bankers’ Safety

In yet another shocking case of violence against bankers, a senior law officer of Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank (UPGB) was assaulted, looted, and left injured in Nawabganj police station limits of Gonda district late Monday night.

According to police, the victim, Yogendra Pratap Singh, had recently been posted from Jaunpur to the Gonda branch. After sending his luggage by pickup truck, he reached Devkali bypass in Ayodhya around 11:30 PM and was waiting for a bus to Gonda when a man in an Ertiga car offered him a lift, saying he was also headed there with four passengers already on board.

Instead of taking the direct route, the driver diverted towards Katra–Kishundaspur road. Near Akbarpur village, the group turned on Singh, tied a towel around his neck, assaulted him, and pushed him out of the moving vehicle. The assailants fled with ₹9,000 in cash, a gold ring, a gold chain, and his bag. Singh later managed to get help from a local youth and reached Nawabganj police station to report the incident.

Police said Circle Officer Dr. U.P. Singh inspected the spot and that CCTV footage from the surrounding areas is being examined.

Union Condemnation
The UPGB Officers’ Federation condemned the incident. Reacting to the incident, Suraj Tiwari, General Secretary, UP Gramin Bank Officers’ Federation, said:, “Another barbaric attack! A big question mark on bankers’ safety.”

The statement alleged that despite clear directives from the Finance Ministry, such repeated incidents expose gaps in enforcement, “The neglect of bank employees’ safety has brought the role of the local police into question.”

Calling for urgent intervention, the union added, “We strongly condemn this heinous crime and demand immediate strict action from the administration and police. The safety of bank employees can no longer be ignored.”

Similar Incidents
The Gonda attack comes just weeks after a similar incident in Basti district, where two bankers were abducted and assaulted when they were returning home after closing the branch. Bank unions have been voicing concerns over the rising number of such crimes, especially during staff transfers.