BDO Akhyamita Kartik arrested by Vigilance for Rs 4.92 unaccounted cash

Bhubaneswar, Aug 2: Vigilance officers from the Koraput division today arrested Akhyamita Kartik, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Golamunda block in Kalahandi district, after she could not provide a satisfactory explanation for Rs 4.92 lakh in cash found in her possession.

The arrest followed a tip-off that led to her interception near Jaring, located between Bhawanipatna and Junagarh, as she was traveling to Koraput. Vigilance officials discovered the cash hidden inside the rear door of her official Bolero vehicle, which she had concealed in an attempt to avoid detection. The money was seized following a thorough search.

During interrogation, Akhyamita was unable to justify the source of the cash, which resulted in her arrest, according to vigilance sources.

A notification from the Vigilance Department stated, “After Smt Akhyamita Kartik, OAS, BDO of Golamunda Block, Kalahandi, was intercepted, she was questioned about the Rs 4.92 lakh in seized cash. Since she could not provide a satisfactory explanation, she has been arrested.”

Notably, Akhyamita was previously suspended for alleged misappropriation of COVID-19 funds while serving as BDO in Kosagumuda, Nabarangpur. Additionally, the Rayagada district administration had lodged a police complaint against her for misappropriating Red Cross funds during her tenure as Tehsildar in Gunupur.