Kolkata, July 16 : CBI sleuths on Thursday searched 37 premises of officials of New India Assurance Co. Ltd. (NIACL), insurance surveyors and cold storage owners in West Bengal in connection with a Rs.3 crore alleged fraud.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources said seven cases have been registered pertaining to fraudulent insurance claims by various companies allegedly in connivance with NIACL officials of its Berhampore branch in West Bengal.

"Estimated loss suffered due to fraudulent claims amounts to Rs.3 crore," the sources said.

The cases have been registered under various sections of the the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery for purpose of cheating, using as genuine a forged document or electronic record, and also under the Prevention of Corruption Act.