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.