3 postal staff in CBI net for note swap

The CBI has registered a case under Section 120B r/w 420 of IPC and Sections 13(2) r/w 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. According to sources in ACB, Chennai, the officials received information that staff members of Suramangalam Head Post Office, Salem, had illegally exchanged excess Withdrawn Old Series (WOS) notes to the tune of Rs.  45,21,500 between November 8 and 16, allegedly with the connivance of V Vasudevan, Post Master, Treasury Cash Book, M Sekar, Treasurer and Murugesan, cash overseer. 

On investigation, ACB found that in addition to the amount, Rs. 4,51,000 was exchanged without request slips at the exchange counters of the post office between November 10 and 15. CBI sources said these officials seemed to have collected a commission from the beneficiaries. 

“Our preliminary investigation has revealed that the officials had collected a commission and exchanged excess WOS in violation of the RBI guidelines and thus could be prosecuted under various Sections of IPC and PC Act,” a senior CBI official told DTNext. 

CBI officials also carried out raids at the Head Post Office and also at the residential premises of the accused. Sources said the accused officials have not been arrested so far. CBI has deputed ACB inspector LSadagopan to continue with the investigation. CBI, however, has not identified the beneficiaries of this illegal exchange. This is the first case ACB has booked against Central Government officials for illegal WOS exchange in the state.