Kanpur, Aug 5 - A fake cheques scam estimated to the tune of Rs.52 crore has been unearthed in the State Bank of India's (SBI) main branch here. Seven bank officers have been suspended, a SBI official said Wednesday.

According to the official, the fraud, which was detected Tuesday evening, was being carried on with the active connivance of the branch officials. Most of the fake cheques were credited into the account of an influential petrol pump owner and one of his associates, who have reportedly fled the country.

'The suspended officials include an assistant general manager, two chief managers and some senior managers, who were suspected to be directly involved in pilfering the bank by crediting fake cheques into select accounts,' he said.

The Kanpur branch head and deputy general manager have been divested of the charge with immediate effect, the official added.