Mirzapur: An alleged embezzlement of ₹46,59,630 has been reported at the Kailhat Rural Post Office under the Narayanpur Sub-Post Office in Mirzapur district. A case has been registered against postmaster Salim Khan, his mother Sabra, and his two brothers, Sahid and Mohammad Javed, along with some unidentified persons, following a departmental investigation. The FIR was registered at Chunar police station on August 7 on the complaint of Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices (West) Pawan Kumar.
The postal department has also taken administrative action in connection with the alleged financial irregularities. Shivam Bind, a clerk posted at the Mirzapur Head Post Office, has been suspended. The Mirzapur Superintendent of Post Offices has also been transferred, and Rajesh Kumar assumed charge of the post on Saturday.
According to the complaint submitted to police, Salim Khan, posted as postmaster at the Kailhat Rural Post Office, had allegedly been manipulating depositors’ money for a prolonged period. The alleged irregularities came to light during an audit conducted in April. After discrepancies were found between financial records and account details, the department initiated a detailed investigation that continued for nearly four months.
Depositors’ money allegedly transferred to family accounts
The complaint alleges that Salim Khan, a resident of Shahzad Patti village in Haryana’s Nuh Mewat district, opened accounts in the names of his mother Sabra and brothers Sahid and Mohammad Javed at India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) using allegedly fraudulent means.
The department suspects that money deposited by customers at the Kailhat Rural Post Office was subsequently transferred into these accounts. Investigators are now examining the transaction records to determine how much money was allegedly diverted, which depositors’ funds were transferred and when the transactions took place.
Banking records, postal transaction details and documents linked to the accounts are being examined to establish the alleged flow of funds and identify the persons responsible for the transactions.
Four-month departmental investigation
The alleged financial irregularities were first detected during the April audit. Following the discovery, officials began matching postal records with account statements and examining transactions carried out through the branch.
The departmental inquiry continued for around four months. During this period, officials examined records, account entries and transactions suspected to be connected with the alleged embezzlement. After the investigation, the department assessed the suspected loss at ₹46,59,630 and submitted a complaint to police, leading to the registration of the FIR.
A major focus of the investigation will be to determine how money deposited at the post office was transferred to accounts outside the normal process. Police will also examine whether any other employee or individual allegedly assisted in opening the accounts or facilitating the transactions.
Clerk suspended, superintendent transferred
The postal department has initiated action at the administrative level as well. Head Post Office clerk Shivam Bind has been suspended, and his role in the alleged irregularities is being examined.
The Superintendent of Post Offices in Mirzapur has also been transferred. Rajesh Kumar took charge of the post on Saturday. The administrative changes were made after the alleged financial irregularities came to light and the departmental inquiry progressed.
Police to examine financial trail
Following registration of the FIR, police are expected to examine the IPPB accounts allegedly opened in the names of the accused’s family members. Investigators will scrutinise account statements, postal records, depositor accounts and transaction documents to establish the complete financial trail.
Police will also try to determine where the allegedly embezzled money was transferred after reaching the identified accounts and whether other people were involved in the transactions.
Investigators are likely to compare the records of individual depositors with the transactions recorded in the relevant accounts. This could help establish the number of transactions involved and the period during which the alleged irregularities took place.
The case has been registered following a departmental inquiry, and the allegations are now subject to a police investigation. The exact mechanism through which ₹46.59 lakh was allegedly diverted, as well as the role of each accused person, will become clear as investigators examine the financial and postal records.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
