Bhubaneswar: The Department of Posts (DoP) has detected misappropriation of Rs 2.44 crore of depositors’ money in three post offices under Koraput division.
The fraud has been detected in Lachipeta, Malkangiri Colony and Bhejangiwada post offices. The departmental inquiry in the Lachipeta post office has been completed, while preliminary investigations into the other two cases is over.
Speaking to media persons, here on Friday, secretary, DoP Vineet Pandey said, “The postmaster of Bhejangiwada post office Mana Pujari siphoned off Rs 35 lakh of the depositors money and the postmaster in-charge of Lachipeta and Malkangiri Colony post offices withdrew Rs 2.09 crore from the accounts of the depositors.”
He further said both postmasters have been suspended and Pujari has been arrested. Stating that the case has been handed over to CBI, Pandey said the investigating agency has been told to complete the probe as quickly as possible.
The properties of the main accused and their families would be attached to recover the amount, if necessary, he added.
The matter came to light after Union Minister for Communications, IT, and Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered to complete the investigation into the allegation of misappropriation of public fund within a month. Some depositors had informed him about the misappropriation during his visit to Koraput recently.
