Tripura origin IAS Officer Dhiman Chakma Nabbed in Odisha for Accepting Rs. 10 Lakh Bribe; Rs. 47 Lakh More Seized from his official Residence

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 9, 2025

In a major corruption crackdown, Odisha's Vigilance Department yesterday apprehended a 2021 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Dhiman Chakma, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 10 lakh from a businessman. Chakma had reportedly threatened the businessman with punitive action against his enterprise unless the bribe was paid.

Following his arrest, vigilance officers conducted a raid at his government allotted residence, leading to the recovery of an additional Rs. 47 lakh in unaccounted cash, raising serious concerns about the extent of corruption involved.

Dhiman Chakma, originally hailing from Kanchanpur in North Tripura, is the son of a former school teacher. His arrest has stunned many in administrative circles, particularly as he is a recent entrant into the civil services. Before joining the IAS in 2021, Chakma had served as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer.

At the time of his arrest, Chakma was serving as the Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, Odisha. He was caught red-handed while accepting the Rs. 10 lakh bribe from the businessman, following threats to take action against the latter’s business interests.

Sources from Orissa confirmed that Chakma is currently in police custody and undergoing interrogation. A case under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against him. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the recovered cash and to determine whether other individuals are linked to the alleged bribery and corruption case.

The incident has triggered widespread public outrage and renewed calls for stricter anti-corruption measures within India’s bureaucracy.

Sources revealed that the accused Sub-Collector was demanding a huge amount of bribe from the complainant by threatening to take action against the latter's stone crusher unit in Dharamgarh area of Kalahandi district.

Finding no other way, the owner of the stone crusher unit approached the Vigilance department that set a trap and caught Dhiman Chakma red handed on Sunday.

more news...