Jail Pharmacist Suspended For Swindling Lakhs From Inmate’s Stock Trade In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Online stock market trading by an inmate of Jharpada Special Jail in Bhubaneswar in connivance with a prison staff has come to the notice of the authorities. The matter surfaced after the under-trial prisoner complained about a pharmacist swindling lakhs of rupees earned from stock trade by him.

According to sources, the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services has launched a probe against pharmacist Siba Shanta Samantray and placed him under suspension following the allegations.

Samantray reportedly came close to the inmate during his visits to the jail wards. The inmate, who was stated to be well acquainted with online stock market trade, struck a deal with the pharmacist and started using his mobile phone clandestinely for the purpose.

The login information of the UTP was saved on Samantaray’s mobile phone. He also had the inmate’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ID details.

Taking advantage of this, the pharmacist allegedly swindled lakhs of rupees by selling the shares of the inmate without his knowledge. The inmate late came to know it and disclosed the entire episode before the jail authorities.

A preliminary inquiry showed Samantaray’s involvement in the fraud and he was suspended. “Samantaray has been shifted to Koraput Circle Jail so that he is not able to influence the probe launched against him at Special Jail in Jharpada,” DG, Prisons and Director, Correctional Services Manoj Kumar Chhabra was quoted by TNIE as saying.

The exact nature of the offence committed by Samantaray can be ascertained only after the completion of the inquiry. Further action will be taken against him based on the evidence, he said.  Prisons department officers are also investigating how the inmate was able to use Samantaray’s mobile phone without being noticed by the jail staff.

In the wake of this incident, the department has reportedly intensified its crackdown on illegal activities in jails.