A letter writer at Rajbari Main Post Office, Shihab Mridha, is accused of absconding with savings worth about one crore taka belonging to at least 76 customers. Postal sources said he has been missing since July 13. Many of the affected customers are marginalised people, with women making up a large share, who had saved money from livestock sales, poultry rearing and other earnings.

New postmaster Shamim Ahmed said he became suspicious on his first day after joining on July 6, when a customer brought him a handwritten deposit slip. More customers later made similar complaints. Ahmed said Mridha repaid two lakh taka to one customer after being pressured, then returned 20 lakh taka to 13 customers on July 12 before disappearing as the number of complainants grew.

A four-member investigation committee was formed on July 16 by order of the postmaster general for the Khulna southern region. Committee member Shahidul Islam said letter writers have no authority to receive customers’ money and relevant officials cannot avoid responsibility. Affected customers held a human chain and sit-in, demanding recovery of their money and exemplary punishment for everyone involved.