India, Aug. 23 -- A Metropolitan Magistrate court on Friday declared former New India Cooperative Bank chairman Hiren Bhanu and his wife Gauri Bhanu, the bank's former deputy chairperson, proclaimed offenders in the Rs.122-crore misappropriation case.

A proclaimed offender is a person who fails to appear for a court trial or investigation, despite being summoned.

According to the police, the declaration is a crucial step towards securing a Red Corner Notice against the couple through Interpol. A senior officer said, "On the request of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), the court declared Hiren and Gauri Bhanu proclaimed offenders. This is an important step in the international tracing process."

Both accused allegedly fled India before t...