Money Fraud in Odisha Post Office: Postmaster Arrested for Diverting Lakhs from Depositors’ Accounts
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A shocking case of financial fraud has emerged from Sundargarh district in Odisha, where a postmaster has been accused of siphoning off lakhs of rupees from depositors’ accounts. The incident took place at the Andhari branch post office under Biramitrapur police limits and has left villagers anxious about the safety of their savings.
How the Scam Came to Light
The fraud was uncovered when a depositor, Sunita Sahu, noticed an unauthorised withdrawal of Rs 10,000 from her account. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that the money had been misappropriated by the then postmaster, identified as Suchita Khes. Verification of other accounts soon exposed multiple irregularities, with funds of several account holders allegedly diverted.
Arrest and Legal Action
Following complaints from depositors, the accused postmaster was arrested and produced before court. Investigations are now underway to assess the full scale of the embezzlement. However, depositors remain worried as there is still no clarity on how and when their money will be refunded.
Anger Among Villagers
The revelations triggered strong protests in the locality. On Saturday, aggrieved depositors gheraoed postal department officials for hours, demanding urgent action. “I had deposited Rs 10,000 twice, on June 11 and June 21, respectively. My husband was not given his passbook. He has Rs 50,000 in that account, and Rs 10,000 was withdrawn from my account without my consent. There are many victims like me,” alleged Sunita Sahu.
Echoing the villagers’ anger, Sima Bakhali, sarpanch of Andhari panchayat, said, “The hard-earned money of the villagers has been siphoned off. We demand that they get back their money.”
Silence from Authorities
Despite the uproar, neither the police nor the postal department has released an official statement. The absence of clarity from authorities has only heightened public frustration, with depositors fearing they may lose their savings permanently.
What Lies Ahead
This case raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in rural postal branches, where many villagers prefer to save due to limited access to banking facilities. Unless swift measures are taken, the trust deficit between depositors and the postal system could deepen further.
How the Scam Came to Light
The fraud was uncovered when a depositor, Sunita Sahu, noticed an unauthorised withdrawal of Rs 10,000 from her account. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that the money had been misappropriated by the then postmaster, identified as Suchita Khes. Verification of other accounts soon exposed multiple irregularities, with funds of several account holders allegedly diverted.
Arrest and Legal Action
Following complaints from depositors, the accused postmaster was arrested and produced before court. Investigations are now underway to assess the full scale of the embezzlement. However, depositors remain worried as there is still no clarity on how and when their money will be refunded.
Anger Among Villagers
The revelations triggered strong protests in the locality. On Saturday, aggrieved depositors gheraoed postal department officials for hours, demanding urgent action. “I had deposited Rs 10,000 twice, on June 11 and June 21, respectively. My husband was not given his passbook. He has Rs 50,000 in that account, and Rs 10,000 was withdrawn from my account without my consent. There are many victims like me,” alleged Sunita Sahu.
Echoing the villagers’ anger, Sima Bakhali, sarpanch of Andhari panchayat, said, “The hard-earned money of the villagers has been siphoned off. We demand that they get back their money.”
Silence from Authorities
Despite the uproar, neither the police nor the postal department has released an official statement. The absence of clarity from authorities has only heightened public frustration, with depositors fearing they may lose their savings permanently.
What Lies Ahead
This case raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in rural postal branches, where many villagers prefer to save due to limited access to banking facilities. Unless swift measures are taken, the trust deficit between depositors and the postal system could deepen further.
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