TV
A postmaster has been arrested on charges of embezzling lakhs of rupees belonging to depositors at the Andhari branch post office under Biramitrapur police limits in Sundargarh district on Saturday.
According to sources, the matter came to light when a depositor, Sunita Sahu, noticed that Rs 10,000 was withdrawn from her savings account without her knowledge. On inquiry, it was found that the money had been misappropriated by the then postmaster, identified as Suchita Khes.
Subsequent verification of several accounts revealed large-scale irregularities, with deposits of multiple account holders allegedly being siphoned off. Following complaints lodged with the police, Suchita Khes was arrested and produced before court.
The development sparked outrage among depositors, who on Saturday gheraoed postal department officials for several hours, demanding immediate return of their money.
“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 He has Rs 50,000 in that account, and Rs 10,000 was withdrawn from my account without my consent.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, a complainant.
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“The hard-earned money of the villagers has been siphoned off. We demand that they get back their money,” said Sima Bakhali, sarpanch of Andhari panchayat.
Meanwhile, neither the police nor the postal department has issued any official statement regarding the incident or the steps being taken to safeguard depositors’ interests.
