AGRA: In a huge scam at a post office in Augautha area of Uttar Pradeshs Mainpuri district, the postmaster of the local post office has been accused of embezzling Rs 4 crore from the accounts of residents of at least 16 villages in the district.The scam was unearthed after several villagers went to the post office to withdraw their savings, but were told there was no money in their accounts. On their complaint, police filed a case against the postmaster under IPC sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and started an investigation. Postmaster Omprakash Shakya, who has been working at the post office for several years, is on the run. The postal department has ordered an internal probe and suspended four employees for "negligence".Head postmaster of Augautha post office, Vivek Pratap Singh, told TOI on Sunday, "Our divisional superintendent is monitoring the matter and a probe is under way by officials." Ravi Kumar, an investigating officer, added, "We identified 40 customers who claimed to have lost their money. Were collecting evidence and details of victims." Showing more than a dozen post office certificates of their saving accounts and fixed deposits, some local villagers pointed out that "the scam could be over Rs 4 crore". Devesh Kataria, a villager, said, "I dont know how many customers lost their money but I have collected details of 70 account holders. Two family members had deposited around Rs 1 lakh, which is not there in the records."Another affected villager, Parvinder Kumar, said, "I had deposited Rs 30,000 for five years. But the amount could not be traced. He (accused) used to register deposits in a passbook with a pen and hence no digital record is available."Kishori Devi, 51, had deposited Rs 1.5 lakh in her account: "They have only one reply: Investigation is on and action will be taken." Station house officer of Mainpuri Kotwali Anil Singh said, "The postal department may have the total number of victims. Were trying to arrest the accused."

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