While he is fondly called “Ancheyanna” by people for his untiring duty in connecting people, the postman community has been shamed by the act of one of its peers, who allegedly kept nearly 4,000 mail at home without delivering them to the concerned.

The stacking of mail would not have come to public notice if the landlord of the postman had not gained entry to the tenement following non-payment of rent for a long time. The postman had taken a house on rent in Surathkal near Mangaluru and had reportedly defaulted on rent payment forcing the landlord to arrange for vacation of the house.

When the owner found the large stack of undelivered mail, he immediately informed the senior officials with India Post, who conducted a mahazar of the articles.

The undelivered mail at the residence of B. Ashok, a postman attached to the Kodialbail post office in Mangaluru, included Aadhaar cards, utility bills, letters, greeting cards and many more.

Ashok is said to have joined the postal department as a grameen dak sevak in 2008 and was working in Mukka, near Surathkal, off Mangaluru. He got the regular job of postman in December last and was working at Kodialbail since January this year, a senior official with the India Post told The Hindu .

“The incident came to light during November first week and the postman was immediately suspended pending detailed inquiry. The undelivered mails are being delivered to the concerned and statements of some of them are being recorded to help the department during the inquiry against the postman. He has been kept under suspension and severe action would follow if the charges are proved,” the official said.

No mechanism

Asked about a mechanism to check non-delivery of mails, the official said that it is very difficult in cases of ordinary mail, unless the department receives complaint from the people, whereas registered and other mails/money orders require proof of delivery. Since Ashok was prompt in delivering registered mail, speed post, money order, etc., no one had any suspicion.

People should alert the department if they do not see the postman in their area for long time, the official suggested.

The incident came to light in the first week of November and he has been suspended