Baripada, Aug. 14: An assistant block education officer of Mayurbhanj district was arrested today on charges of forgery and cheating.

The accused, Bhagban Mohapatra, 57, was holding the post in Khunta block.

Mohapatra had been absconding since March, ever since he was asked by the authorities to produce his educational certificates. It was alleged that he had submitted fake certificates in support of his educational qualifications at the time of appointment.

Mohapatra, who has been working in the education department over the last 34 years, claimed that he had completed his BA and BEd.

However, a person sought information through RTI on his educational qualifications in August last year. The school and mass education department in turn had asked Mohapatra to comply with the query and submit his testimonials before a committee constituted by it.

Although Mohapatra submitted the documents in support of his qualifications, the committee verified his testimonials from the university concerned and found that his certificates were forged. He was then served with a show-cause notice.

Instead of complying, Mohapatra remained absent from duty without informing his authorities. The block education officer of Khunta lodged an FIR against him on March 10. Since then he has been absconding.

Yesterday, when he visited his family, he was nabbed.

The inspector in-charge of Khunta police station, Ratikanta Giri, said: "Mohapatra was absconding for about five months. He was caught yesterday when he visited his family. He is being booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code."