An 82-year-old pensioner in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district experienced a startling incident when his bank account briefly displayed a staggering balance of ₹759 crore. Kameshwar Mishra, an elderly poet, was checking his monthly pension credit when the enormous sum appeared, only to vanish minutes later.
The bizarre occurrence happened while Mishra, accompanied by his disabled son, was reviewing his account. The screen showed an incredible ₹7,596,951,951. Even more astonishingly, his son's disability pension account also reportedly showed a similarly inflated amount, bringing their combined balance to over ₹1,500 crore, according to family statements.
Family's Disbelief and Anxiety
Mishra's son described the family's initial reaction as "shocked." They struggled to comprehend the sudden influx of wealth, initially wondering if a miraculous error had occurred in their favor. However, their confusion quickly turned to anxiety as the balance reverted to the correct, much smaller amount within minutes, leaving them bewildered about the source and disappearance of the funds.
Bank and Pension Office Launch Inquiry
Upon discovering the anomaly, Kameshwar Mishra promptly reported the issue to officials, urging them to investigate and rectify the mistake. Both the bank and the state pension disbursement office swiftly initiated an inquiry into the incident. The primary goal of the investigation is to determine whether the erroneous display was a widespread system error or an isolated technical glitch.
Authorities Rule Out Fraud So Far
Police and cyber cell officials have been informed about the incident. However, initial assessments suggest no evidence of fraudulent withdrawal or unauthorized transfer of funds. Bank officials and local authorities have indicated that no actual money was credited to the accounts, reinforcing the belief that it was an internal display error. Investigators are now scrutinizing server logs and third-party software interfaces used in the pension accounting system to pinpoint the cause.
Pattern of Similar Banking Errors Emerges
This incident in Muzaffarpur is not an isolated case. Similar large, erroneous balances have been reported across other districts in Bihar, including Vaishali, Samastipur, Nawada, and Gaya. Pensioners and even an e-rickshaw driver have reported seeing balances ranging from ₹740 crore to ₹759 crore in their accounts. In one instance in Samastipur, a bank branch manager confirmed a customer's actual balance was only ₹500, despite a receipt showing over ₹740 crore, attributing it to a technical fault.
Pensioners Advised to Report Irregularities
Authorities are urging all pensioners and account holders to immediately report any discrepancies or unusual activity in their bank statements or online banking displays. They have assured the public that a comprehensive technical audit will be conducted. The findings of this ongoing probe will inform whether system upgrades, corrective actions, or staff retraining are necessary to prevent such alarming glitches from recurring.