In a significant crackdown on corruption, Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer currently serving as Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, was apprehended by the Odisha Vigilance Department on Sunday while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh. The arrest, which occurred at his official residence, came as part of a meticulously planned trap following a complaint from a local businessman.
According to vigilance officials, Chakma had reportedly demanded a total bribe of ₹20 lakh from a businessman who operates a stone crusher unit. The officer allegedly threatened to take punitive action against the businessman’s enterprise if the demanded amount was not paid. Left with no other recourse, the businessman bravely approached the Vigilance Department, leading to the dramatic intervention.
The trap was laid on the night of June 8, 2025. Vigilance teams caught Chakma red-handed as he received the first installment of ₹10 lakh. Officials confirmed that the bribe money was recovered from his possession, and chemical tests conducted on his hands and the drawer where the cash was placed yielded positive reactions, confirming his direct involvement in handling the tainted money.
The revelations did not end with the initial arrest. Following Chakma’s apprehension, simultaneous searches were conducted at his government residence in Dharamgarh. These searches led to the astonishing recovery of an additional ₹47 lakh in unaccounted cash. When questioned about the source of this substantial amount, Chakma reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, leading to the seizure of the entire sum. In total, a staggering ₹57 lakh in cash has been seized by the Vigilance Department in connection with this case.
A case has been registered against Dhiman Chakma under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. On Monday, he was produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Bhawanipatna, which denied his bail plea and remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the administrative circles of Odisha. Chakma, a native of Tripura, had an inspiring journey, having cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2021 after initially serving as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer. His arrest stands in stark contrast to his earlier public vows to serve the nation and work for the welfare of society, particularly in the underdeveloped regions.
The Odisha Vigilance Department has stated that further investigations are underway to ascertain the full extent of his alleged corrupt practices and to trace the origin of the recovered unaccounted cash. This case underscores the ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies to tackle corruption within the public service and reiterates the commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in governance.