Odisha Vigilance today arrested Ashis Naik, an Ex-Forester of Athagada Forest Division, for allegedly embezzling government funds exceeding Rs 7.4 lakh meant for afforestation projects.
Naik, who is currently posted at the Office of the Division Forest Officer (DFO), Kataka, was taken into custody following an investigation into widespread financial irregularities under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Scheme.
According to officials, the fraudulent activity took place during the 2025–26 Assisted Natural Regeneration (A.N.R.) Plantation project inside the Oringa Reserve Forest, which spans the Kuleilo and Sadar Beats under the Athagarh Sadar Section.
Investigating officers revealed that Naik generated and submitted fake and heavily inflated bills to draw government funds without carrying out the actual work on the ground. A field audit exposed that as many as 11,376 saplings were never planted, despite official claims of project execution. By pocketing the money allocated for these missing saplings, the accused caused a direct loss of ₹7,41,297 to the state exchequer.
Following the gathering of conclusive evidence, the Kataka Vigilance Police registered a formal case (Case No. 36 dated 10.09.2026) against the former forester. Naik has been booked under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018; Sections 318(4), 316(5), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Following his arrest, the accused officer is being forwarded to the Special Court (Vigilance) in Kataka today. Vigilance authorities confirmed that further investigations are underway to determine if additional personnel were involved in the racket.
