The headmistress of a state-aided primary school in Manikchak block of Malda has been accused of counterfeiting the signature and the office seal of a sub-inspector of schools to get a loan from a nationalised bank.

Sanchayita Mandal, the sub-inspector of schools posted in Manikchak-I circle, recently lodged a written complaint against Sultana Khatun, the headmistress of Manikchak Managed Primary School.

"I filed a complaint against her as she counterfeited my signature and the office seal in a form to get a loan from a bank. This is a serious offence,” said Mandal.

Some other teachers of the school said that Khatun had been trying to get a loan from the bank.

“According to rules, it is mandatory to get the loan application form signed by the applicant's superior authority. Khatun applied to the SI (Mandal), but she didn't entertain the application,” said a source.

The headmistress, who was desperate for the loan, then allegedly forged the signature and the seal of Mandal and submitted the form at the bank.

On learning this, Mandal filed a complaint with the police. She simultaneously informed the matter to her higher-ups in the district primary education department.

Khatun, sources said, was earlier drawn into controversies. Some guardians alleged that she took money from them to get their children admitted to the school. There was also a charge that she had not allowed some children to sit for exams.

"We are taking the fresh allegation against her very seriously," said a senior official of the department.

Police officers said they had begun a probe.

Khatun could not be contacted for her version. Calls made to her by this reporter went unanswered.