A parcel sent from Saudi Arabia was found to be 10.20kg lighter than its recorded weight after reaching the Brahmanbaria Head Post Office.

Md Atiqur Rahman, a resident of West Paikpara in Brahmanbaria town, claimed that goods worth a substantial amount were missing from the parcel that arrived in his name at the post office.

He also alleged that the postmaster behaved rudely when he raised the issue.

Atiqur said a carton containing dates, lotion, cream, soap, chocolate and shoes was sent to him from Saudi Arabia with a recorded weight of 29.90kg.

He received a phone call from the Brahmanbaria Post Office on Sunday (October 4) to collect the parcel. When he went to receive it the following day, he found that the carton was torn on two sides.

Although the parcel was marked as weighing 29.90kg, the post office scale showed only 19.70kg, indicating a shortfall of 10.20kg.

Atiqur alleged that he was asked to pay Tk 7,988 in duties and other charges to receive the parcel despite the damaged condition of the carton.

He eventually paid the amount on the advice of postal officials present and opened the parcel.

He then found that all the packages inside had been opened and most of the contents, including premium dates, lotions, creams, soaps and chocolates, were missing. Or so he claimed.

Jinat Rehana, postmaster of the Brahmanbaria Head Post Office, said the parcel had arrived in a torn condition and that the office could do little about it. She also said an official note had been made regarding its condition.

Atiqur further alleged that when he tried to lodge a complaint about the missing goods, the postmaster behaved rudely and said parcels often arrived in such a condition.

He claimed that she was reluctant to accept his written complaint and refused to stamp the receipt copy.

He also alleged that an unidentified person from the post office called him after he returned home and warned him against pursuing the matter further.

The victim  Atiqur has submitted a written complaint at the post office demanding compensation for the missing goods.

However, Jinat Rehana denied the allegations against the post office staff.

“None of our officers or staff members opened the parcel. We received the consignment exactly as it arrived from Chattogram. We have informed the higher authorities about the discrepancy in weight,” she said.