Nearly Rs 9 lakh withdrawn from deceased woman’s post office account in Assam's Kaliabor

Questions over the safety of deposits at post offices have emerged in Assam's Kaliabor after nearly Rs 9 lakh was allegedly withdrawn from the account of a woman who had died in March 2024.

The incident was reported from the Jakhalabandha Post Office in Kaliabor, where the account of deceased woman Dipamoni Saikia allegedly continued to be operated even after her death.

According to the family, Saikia had around Rs 9 lakh deposited in her post office account. However, the money was allegedly withdrawn in several instalments using her signature.

The matter came to light after Saikia's son obtained her death certificate and checked the account details at the post office.

As per the account records, Rs 4 lakh was withdrawn on June 28, Rs 3 lakh in July, Rs 1 lakh in August and another Rs 41,000 in December. Of the nearly Rs 9 lakh deposited in the account, only around Rs 8,000 was reportedly left.

The family has questioned how withdrawals could have been made from the account of a woman who had died in March 2024 and who could not have authorised the transactions.

Saikia's son has alleged that officials of the Jakhalabandha Post Office may be involved in the alleged financial irregularities.

Following a complaint from the family, personnel from the Jakhalabandha Police Station reached the post office. Police have initiated an investigation based on the FIR lodged by the family.

The investigation will determine whether post office officials or an agent was involved in the alleged withdrawal of the money and how the transactions were carried out.