Bhubaneswar: Vigilance sleuths of Koraput division on Friday arrested Akhyamita Kartik, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Golamunda block in Kalahandi district after she failed to give a satisfactory answer regarding the source of cash Rs 4.92 lakh seized from her possession.
According to Vigilance sources, Akhyamita allegedly received a bribe of Rs 4.92 lakh as a PC. Acting on a reliable input, vigilance sleuths intercepted her near Jaring between Bhawanipatna and Junagarh while she was on her way to Koraput.
In an attempt to evade detection, Akhyamita had cleverly concealed the cash inside the rear door of her official Bolero vehicle. However, the Vigilance team, following their training and search protocols, discovered the cash by opening the interior of the rear door. The anti-graft officials seized the Rs 4.92 lakh.
On interrogation, Akhyamita failed to give a satisfactory reply regarding the source of the funds which led to her arrest, sources said.
“Following interception of Smt Akhyamita Kartik, OAS, BDO of Golamunda Block, Kalahandi, yesterday, she was interrogated regarding the source of seized cash Rs 4.92Lakhs. As Smt Kartik could not satisfactorily account for the same, she has been placed under arrest today”, read the notification issued by the Vigilance Department.
It is pertinent to mention that she was suspended for misappropriation of COVID funds while she was posted at Kosagumuda in Nabarangpur district.
Similarly, the Rayagada district administration had filed a police complaint against her for misappropriation of Red Cross funds while she was working as a Tehsildar in Gunupur.
