Jeypore,December o9: Launching a crackdown on corrupt officials in the state, Vigilance sleuths arrested an Assistant Audit Officer of State SC/ST Development Department after conducting a raid here last night and seized unaccounted cash from his possession.

The held official has been identified as Artabandhu Rout, a resident of Niali area of Cuttack district.

As per the report, Artabandhu came under the anti-corruption wing officials’ scanner while he was on a visit to conduct audit of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Malkangari. A team of officials intercepted him on his way back to Bhubaneswar and during a search found Rs 7.29 lakh unaccounted cash from his possession.

“As Rout failed to explain about the source of the cash he was taken into custody and an investigation was ordered in this connection. He will be forwarded to court if found guilty,” informed the Vigilance SP.