Kalahandi, Odisha: In a shocking development, Dhiman Chakma, a 36-year-old IAS officer of 2021 batch from Odisha cadre, was caught red-handed by the Odisha Vigilance Directorate while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. The incident occurred in Kalahandi district’s Dharamgarh area, where Chakma was posted as the Sub-Collector.
In addition to the bribe amount, officials recovered ₹47 lakh in cash during subsequent searches at Chakma’s government quarters and office on Sunday night.
According to the Vigilance Directorate, the ₹10 lakh was the first installment of a larger ₹20 lakh bribe allegedly demanded from a local businessman. The businessman had approached authorities after being threatened with official action if he refused to pay the amount. Acting on his complaint, a trap was laid, and Chakma was arrested at his government residence during the handover of the bribe.
Details of the Bribery Case and Investigation
According to officials, Chakma allegedly pressured the businessman, who owns a stone crusher unit, to pay the bribe to avoid harassment or punitive action. During the raid, officials found 26 bundles of currency notes in Chakma’s office drawer. A chemical test confirmed the presence of cash residues on both Chakma’s hands and the drawer. Additionally, Rs 47 lakh was recovered from his residence.
The Odisha Vigilance Directorate has registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended 2018). The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the corruption and whether others are involved.
Who is IAS Dhiman Chakma?
Dhiman Chakma belongs to the 2021 IAS batch and is originally from Kanchanpur, a small town in Tripura. Born to a schoolteacher father and a homemaker mother, Chakma’s rise to the civil services is seen as inspirational for many from resource-limited regions.
He holds a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala. Chakma first cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2019, securing 722nd rank and joining the Indian Forest Service (IFS). However, his ambition was to become an IAS officer, and in 2020, he retook the exam, improving his rank to 482, which secured him an IAS position in the Odisha cadre.
Promising Career Overshadowed by Corruption Charges
After completing his training post-2020 exam success, Chakma was appointed as Deputy Collector in Dharamgarh, Kalahandi district. His responsibilities included overseeing local administration and development projects. However, his tenure has now come under scrutiny due to these serious bribery charges.
Social media and public forums have been abuzz with criticism, questioning the integrity of civil servants and the effectiveness of ethical training during the UPSC process. Many expressed disappointment over such corruption being exposed so early in an officer’s career.
The Broader Issue of Corruption in Civil Services
This incident once again raises concerns about corruption within the Indian Administrative Service and the pressures officers face or exert in their administrative roles. Despite rigorous selection processes and training, cases like these highlight challenges in governance and the need for systemic reforms.
What’s Next?
The Odisha Vigilance Directorate continues its probe and is expected to take further action based on the evidence gathered. Dhiman Chakma’s career and future in the civil services now hang in balance as the legal process unfolds.
