Fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 29 lakhs; CBI frames charge-sheets
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 27 2011: In connection with the fraudulent withdrawal of more than Rs 29 lakhs by using lost Kishan Vikas Patra (KVP), the CBI, after investigation has framed charge-sheets against two employees of Post Office.

After investigation into the case, Anti-Corruption Branch (Imphal) of CBI submitted charge-sheets in the Court of Special Judge, Manipur East on December 16 against two employees of Sagolmang sub-post office who have now retired, informed a source.

In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the Superintendent, Circle Stamp Depot, West Bengal Circle, Calcutta indented for 700,000 numbers of KVP each of Rs 10,000 denomination to the India Security Press, Nasik on April 3, 1996 .

Accordingly, Kisan Vikas Patras of Rs 10,000 face value (Series 46CC, serial no 840001 to 1000000) consisting of 160,000 KVPs were despatched for the Circle Stamp Depot, West Bengal Circle, Calcutta by the Assistant Controller of Stamps, Central Stamp Depot, Nasik Road on March 10, 1997 .

Out of these KVPs, those bearing serial nos 920001 to 960000 were lost during the transit from Nasik to Kolkata and the loss was reported to GRP, Howrah Railway Station.

Director Postal Services, Manipur circulated to all postal offices in Manipur about the loss of KVPs.

Further investigation revealed that three fictitious persons namely Arun Kumar Chaurashia, SK Bhargo and LP Jaiswal who were purportedly shown as residents of Loktak Project, Bishenpur submitted altogether 149 number of KVPs to the Sub Post Master, Lamlong Bazar Sub Post Office for transfer of the said KVPs purportedly issued from Gariba Tola sub post office, Chapra district, Bihar on January 15, 17 and 31 of 2000 .

But it was found that Gariba Tola sub post office issued no such KVPs on the said dates.

Of these 149 KVPs, 69 KVPs issued in the name of Arun Kumar Chaurashia amounting to Rs 13,54,800 were encashed from Lamlong sub-post office in three phases in June and July 2006 .

Another 50 KVPs issued in the name of SK Bhargo amounting to Rs 10,00,000 were encashed in July and August, 2006 .

Again, 30 KVPs issued in the name of LP Jaiswal amounting to Rs 600,000 were encashed in August 2006 .

These KVPs were fraudulently encashed from lamlong Bazar sub post office by the said fictitious persons in connivance with some postal officials on different dates.

The process of payment was done in gross violation of the rules as no KVP issued from other post office is to be paid without being verified and no amount above Rs 20,000 should be paid in cash but in the form of cheques.

But sub Post Master of Lamlong Bazar sub post office Nepram Ibemubi Devi and Assistant Post Master (Accounts) Kshetrimayum Bimola Devi did not verify the KVPs and made all the payments in cash in connivance with the KVP holders having fictitious names.

The three persons in whose names the KVPs were encashed were not found in Loktak Project area, mentioned the CBI report.

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