Balasore: A large number of people who had deposited money at a post office in Odisha’s Balasore district staged a demonstration on Monday alleging that over Rs 1.5 crore was missing from their accounts in a massive fraud.
Demanding immediate steps for refund of their money, the protesters claimed that the alleged irregularities at Baigan Badia post office have left nearly 600 depositors devastated as money deposited in around 1,500 accounts had been siphoned off in a fraudulent manner.
It was alleged that postmaster Pramit Ranjan Ghadei is absconding after being accused of masterminding the fraud. Depositors who had invested their savings in post office schemes, hoping for secure returns, now find money missing from their accounts. Detection of the alleged faud has triggered panic and outrage in the locality, with victims demanding immediate justice.
Binay Kumar Patra, who joined on January 7 in place of Ghadei, acknowledged the irregularities. He stated, “I have informed the Inspector of the complaints of the depositors. Senior officials will probe the matter.”
Patra clarified that he was not involved in the alleged misappropriation but has reported the matter to higher authorities, which is being thoroughly investigated. He assured that a thorough probe will be conducted and accountability fixed to restore confidence.
Sources said police and postal officials have launched a joint investigation into the case. Efforts are underway to trace the accused postmaster who is absconding.
While depositors await clarity on whether their lost savings can be recovered, they have appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene in the matter and ensure they receive their money that has been siphoned off. They threatened to escalate their protests in a large scale if their complaints are not resolved.
