Did CBI Really Secure Jail Time for Two Postal Officials in a ₹27 Lakh Fraud Linked to Demonetization?
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Synopsis
In a significant ruling, a Special CBI Court in Hyderabad has sentenced two postal officials to two years of Rigorous Imprisonment for their involvement in a ₹27.27 lakh fraud during demonetization. This case highlights the critical oversight needed in public service roles during financial crises.
Key Takeaways
- Two postal officials received two years of RI.
- Each was fined ₹65,000.
- The fraud occurred during demonetization.
- CBI's role in investigating financial crimes is crucial.
- Integrity in public service is paramount.
Hyderabad, Dec 2 (NationPress) A Special CBI Court has sentenced two officials from the postal department to two years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) for misappropriating ₹27.27 lakh during the period of demonetization. Each has also been imposed a fine of ₹65,000, as per an official announcement made on Tuesday.
The Special CBI Court in Hyderabad, on Monday, found Adapa Srinivas, the former Postal Assistant (Treasurer), and U. Rajyalakshmi, a fellow Postal Assistant at the Humayun Nagar Sub-Post Office in Hyderabad, Telangana, guilty.
Both officials were convicted of breach of trust and cheating, resulting in their sentences of two years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) along with fines of ₹65,000 each.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated this case on August 31, 2017, following a written complaint from the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Hyderabad City Division.
The allegations indicated that Srinivas and Rajyalakshmi conspired between November 10, 2016, and November 24, 2016, during the demonetization period. They reportedly exchanged Withdrawn Old Series (WOS) ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes for new currency notes valued at ₹27,27,397 without the necessary Annexure-II forms, manipulating records to hide their misappropriation.
In another case, the federal agency also secured two years of imprisonment for two telecom officials involved in an ₹88 lakh international call fraud.
The Special CBI Court in Lucknow sentenced Hari Ram Shukla and Gulab Chand Chaurasia, former Sub-Divisional Engineers (SDE) of BSNL in Gorakhpur, to two years in prison and imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh each.
A third individual, Siyaram Agrahari, was acquitted of all charges, as detailed in the CBI statement.
The case against Shukla and Chaurasia was registered on September 18, 2008, based on allegations against them and Agrahari, who was a Junior Telecom Officer at BSNL Gorakhpur.
The CBI has also pursued cases against several Public Call Office (PCO) owners, alleging that the accused engaged in a criminal conspiracy to unlawfully facilitate international calls.
This operation involved six PCO owners and 18 individual telephone subscribers, who between September 2003 and September 2004, caused significant losses to the government’s telecom company through unauthorized international calls.
Point of View
I recognize the weight of this ruling by the Special CBI Court. It serves as a reminder that integrity in public service is paramount. The implications of such fraud during critical financial reforms highlight the necessity for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure public trust remains intact. We stand firm in our commitment to report on these significant issues.
NationPress
02/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the sentence for the postal officials?
The postal officials were sentenced to two years of Rigorous Imprisonment and fined ₹65,000 each.
How much was misappropriated during the fraud?
The total amount misappropriated was ₹27.27 lakh.
When was the case registered?
The case was registered by the CBI on August 31, 2017.
Who were the accused in this case?
The accused were Adapa Srinivas and U. Rajyalakshmi, both postal department officials.
What other cases has the CBI handled recently?
Recently, the CBI secured two years of imprisonment for two telecom officials involved in an ₹88 lakh international call fraud.
