Rs 2.44 crore fraud unearthed from 3 Odisha post offices

Secretary, department of posts, Vineet Pandey briefs the media about the fraudulent transactions

BHUBANESWAR: The department of posts (DoP) under the Union ministry of communications on Friday revealed fraud to the tune of Rs 2.44 crore had been carried out by the postmasters of Lachipeta, Malkangiri Colony and Bhejangiwada post offices under Koraput division. Addressing the press, DoP secretary Vineet Pandey said two postmasters have been suspended after the detection of the fraud.
The frauds at Lachipeta and Malkangiri Colony post offices have been reported to the CBI and the investigating agency has filed an FIR against postmaster Biswanath Podiami, who was earlier in charge of Malkangiri Colony post office before moving to Lachipeta.
Mana Pujari, branch postmaster at Bhejangiwada post office has been arrested by the police. He has also been suspended by the department. “Both the CBI and the police have been asked to complete their investigation quickly. Directions have been issued for attachment of the properties of the main accused and their family members,” a DoP communication stated.
Official sources said Pujari had allegedly transferred Rs 35 lakh of depositors’ money to his kins’ account. Similarly, Podiami had allegedly withdrawn Rs 2.09 crore from accounts of depositors.
Union minister of communications Ashwini Vaishnaw came to know about the issue during his Koraput visit on August 21 and had directed officials to complete the investigation within 30 days.
Acting on it, the DoP completed departmental investigation into the Lachipeta post office matter.
“Preliminary investigation in other two cases have been completed. Detailed investigation is in progress and it will be completed within a month. Major penal proceedings are being initiated against the primary offenders,” said Pandey. He said strict action will be taken against all those whose laxity had facilitated in carrying out the fraud.
Suvendu Swain, chief postmaster general, Odisha, said the postmasters committed the fraud during Covid period taking advantage of the situation when physical verification was less. Swain said they have received complaints from five depositors involving Rs 1.25 lakh so far.
“We have requested the depositors of the three post offices to lodge their grievances. We will settle all genuine claims within 30 days according to the standard operating procedure issued by the DoP,” Swain said.

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