Two postal officials arrested for fraudulently converting old currency

The CBI arrested to postal department officials for alleged fraudulent exchange of Rs 21 lakh in Vishakapattnam. An FIR for criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery has been registered against them.

Vishakapattnam, Dec 16: CBI has arrested the Sub-Post master and the Treasurer of Sub-post office, Andhra University, for alleged fraudulent exchange of Rs 21 lakh of currency in violation of rules in Vishakapattnam.

Sub-postmaster K Lalitha and treasurer of sub-post office, Andhra University, S Samuel John, were arrested for allegedly converting the notes in criminal conspiracy with friends and acquaintances, CBI sources said.

They said searches were conducted at the residences. An FIR for criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery has been registered against them, the sources said.

Last month, three officials of the Postal Service Department were booked by the CBI for fraudulently exchanging Rs.36 lakh from demonetised notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 to the newly introduced Rs.2,000 notes in the the Himayathnagar post-office, Hyderabad.

Based on credible information, a joint surprise check was conducted by officials of the CBI and the Postal Vigilance Cell.

In a major assault on black money, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 announced demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes and asked holders to deposit such notes in banks and post offices.

PTI