Bhubaneswar, Nov. 30 -- A postmaster in Odisha's Keonjhar district has been accused of cheating villagers and misappropriating their deposit and insurance funds, prompting several residents to approach the police on Sunday. According to allegations, the postmaster defrauded 28 individuals and embezzled nearly Rs 15 lakh by issuing fake bonds and taking loans in their names.

Residents of Gudikansa, under the Purujoda Post Office jurisdiction, claimed that postmaster Babulal Patra visited households, encouraging them to invest in postal schemes, promising high returns and long-term benefits. Trusting his assurances, villagers deposited money regularly, believing their savings were secure. The alleged fraud surfaced when depositors attempte...