Dhenkanal: A postmaster has gone missing since January 5 after allegedly swindling Rs 50 lakh from depositors and shutting down the post office at Kandabindhra village, about 20km from here.

Depositors alleged that though their deposited amounts figured in their pass books, the postal sites did not reflect it, raising suspicions that the money had been misappropriated by the postmaster. Following complaints, the postal authorities opened the post office on Thursday with the help of the local police and a magistrate and have ordered an investigation by a senior officer. Dayanidhi Sahu says the amount allegedly swindled by the postmaster could be more than Rs 50 lakh.

"I had deposited Rs 40,000 six months ago. He had given me a receipt but subsequently, he took it away. Despite my repeated requests, he has not returned the receipt nor did he pay me the money back. My pass book shows the deposit, but the postal department's records do not reflect it."

He said on January 3, Ganeswar Maharana, a depositor, had attempted withdraw some money. But, the postmaster had sought some time. This had raised suspicions and Maharana alerted other customers. Apparently fearing that the depositors will catch hold of him, the postmaster disappeared after locking down the post office.

"We demand our deposited money back from the department," Sahu said and accused the postal department of not taking prompt action after some customers had earlier complained to the department against the postmaster.

Postal superintendent Sanjay Patra said that efforts were on to trace the postmaster who belonged to Athgarh. He said: "We opened the post office lying closed since January 5 at Kandabindha village and received complaints of misappropriation of money by the postmaster. I have asked the assistant superintendent to conduct a thorough enquiry into it and submit a report." No FIR has been lodged so far with the Sadar police station.