"He collected our passbooks in September": Odisha postmaster allegedly siphons Rs 50 lakh from depositors

In Odisha’s Jajpur district, a postmaster has vanished after allegedly siphoning around Rs 50 lakh from depositors’ accounts, a PTI report says. Kodanadhara Boitai, the postmaster at Kuanalo post office, reportedly withdrew funds from over 50 depositors’ accounts, causing an uproar in the community.

The scam came to light when Sabitarani Das, a local depositor, tried to withdraw funds only to be told her passbook was unavailable due to “interest calculation.” The incident revealed that Boitai had collected passbooks from multiple depositors in September, claiming it was for interest updates, and has since disappeared.

Worried depositors gathered at the Jajpur Assistant Superintendent’s office, demanding their money back. Many described how Boitai requested their passbooks under the pretense of updating quarterly interest, a routine that didn’t raise suspicions until withdrawals were denied. Das, explaining her own experience, said, "The postmaster had collected passbooks of many depositors including me on the plea of entry of quarterly interest in the passbooks in September. The passbooks have been with him since then. When I came to withdraw money from my account, he asked me to come after two days on the plea that all passbooks have been sent to the Jajpur head Post office for interest calculation."

This revelation, however, triggered suspicions after multiple depositors faced similar issues.

The Assistant Superintendent of Jajpur Postal Division, Harisankar Subudhi, confirmed that the money had indeed been siphoned off in recent months. According to Subudhi, the incident came to light last month, prompting a departmental investigation into Boitai’s actions. Authorities have reassured depositors that strict measures will be taken to hold those responsible accountable.

This incident raises significant concerns about financial security in rural post offices, where locals often rely on these institutions for safe and accessible banking services. The missing funds have led to increased calls for tighter oversight and stronger safeguards to protect depositors.

The postal department is working to determine the full extent of the fraud, while Boitai’s whereabouts remain unknown. Investigators are exploring possible leads, but many depositors are left wondering if they will ever recover their hard-earned savings.

As the investigation continues, this case stands as a reminder of the need for strict regulations and transparency in handling rural banking, especially for post offices, to prevent further incidents and protect depositor rights.

(with PTI inputs)