Odisha Officer Arrested for Corruption: Ill-Gotten Cash Seized

An Odisha Administrative Service officer, Akhyamita Kartik, was arrested on charges of possessing ill-gotten cash amounting to Rs 4.92 lakh. Kartik, BDO of Golamunda, was intercepted by vigilance officials. Cash was concealed in her vehicle. Searches in multiple locations for disproportionate assets followed. Investigation continues.

An Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer was apprehended by anti-corruption vigilance officials on Friday for allegedly possessing 'ill-gotten' cash worth Rs 4.92 lakh, according to police reports. The officer, identified as Akhyamita Kartik, serves as the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Golamunda in Kalahandi district.

Kartik was intercepted near Jaring on the Bhawanipatna-Junagarh route while traveling to Koraput in her official vehicle. The vigilance team discovered the cash concealed inside the rear door of her official Bolero.

Authorities have previously taken action against Kartik due to similar corruption allegations, including a departmental inquiry and a police case. Following her arrest, multiple searches were conducted in Koraput and Kalahandi to investigate disproportionate assets. The Koraput Vigilance Division has filed a case under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigations are ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies.)