Mumbai, June 23: A branch manager of the Central Bank of India in Buldhana district has been booked for setting an obscene condition before a farmer couple for sanctioning their crop loan. The manager, identified as Rajesh Hivase, sought "sex favours" from applicant's wife in lieu of approving the loan amount.

The couple had petitioned the bank on Thursday morning, seeking a loan for their farmland in Datala in the Malkapur Tehsil. Hivase had sought the contact details of the woman accompanying her husband for sanctioning the loan.

Hours later, the manager called her up and offered to approve the loan if she extended sexual favours to him. Hivase also sent his peon with a message to the woman that her husband's loan application will get cleared only if she agrees to his demand.

The woman recorded her subsequent phone conversation with the manager and immediately approached the local police.

Based upon the prima facie evidence, the police booked Hivase under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and also sections of the Prevention of Atrocities Act. The peon, who was sent by the manager to communicate the message to the woman, was also named in the FIR.

Hivase, along with the peon, however, could not be apprehended. The duo fled from the bank on being intimidated about the police complaint. A search operation has been launched to nab them.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2018 02:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).