Mohali, September 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in SAS Nagar (Mohali) has sentenced former Sub-Post Master Sanjeev Kumar to 18 months’ rigorous imprisonment in a case involving alleged misappropriation and money laundering of Rs 16.56 crore belonging to small depositors, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) said.
Kumar, who was posted as Sub-Post Master at Dakhni Gate, Nakodar, in Jalandhar district, was convicted under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4 of the Act. The court pronounced the sentence on September 14.
Besides the jail term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. In case of default in payment, Kumar will undergo an additional three months of rigorous imprisonment.
The ED’s investigation was initiated on the basis of CBI FIR No. RCCHG2018A004, registered on February 1, 2018, against Kumar and other accused in connection with alleged fraud, misappropriation of funds and abuse of official position.
According to the ED, Kumar opened 54 fictitious post office savings accounts, resulting in a loss of Rs 3.40 crore to the government exchequer. He also allegedly manipulated entries in 41 savings accounts, causing a loss of Rs 2.79 crore, and tampered with 51 recurring deposit (RD) accounts involving Rs 1.89 crore.
The investigation further found alleged manipulation of PPF and term deposit accounts of customers, through which government funds worth Rs 8.48 crore were fraudulently withdrawn. The ED said the money was withdrawn in cash as well as through multiple bank accounts maintained by Kumar and his associates.
The agency alleged that the criminal proceeds were used to maintain a lavish lifestyle, gambling, personal expenses and purchasing immovable properties.
During the investigation, the ED provisionally attached movable and immovable properties valued at Rs 42 lakh through an order dated March 2, 2025. The attachment was subsequently confirmed on August 20, 2025.
During the trial, Kumar sought disposal of the case through plea bargaining under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The Special Court accepted the application and convicted him under the PMLA.
The court also directed that the amount recovered from Kumar be paid to the office of the Superintendent of Post Offices, Kapurthala Division. It further held that the victim department could seek restoration of the attached property by moving an application under Section 8(8) of the PMLA read with the Restoration of Property Rules, 2016.
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