Kerala man douses bank counter with petrol over withdrawal delay

India Oct 07, 2025

A customer at Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank in Thrissur, Kerala, poured petrol on the bank counter on Tuesday to protest his pending withdrawal request from September 19.
Suresh Koothupalakkal said staff told him the head office hadn't cleared his refund, sparking his frustration.

Bank has been in news for financial scams

This tense moment is part of a much bigger crisis at the bank. Karuvannur has been under fire for financial scams—like giving out fake loans without proper checks—which have left many depositors waiting for their money.
The Enforcement Directorate has charged CPI(M) and 82 others in a ₹150 crore money laundering case linked to the bank.
Political parties are blaming each other, but for now, depositors just want their savings back.