After Vigilance Court Rejection, 2021-Batch IAS Officer Seeks Relief from High Court; ₹47 Lakh Seized in Multi-State Raids
Bhubaneswar: Suspended IAS officer Dhiman Chakma (2021 batch, Odisha cadre), who was arrested in connection with a ₹10 lakh bribery case, has now approached the Orissa High Court seeking bail. This move comes after a Vigilance Court in Bhawanipatna denied his earlier bail plea, citing the seriousness of the charges and risk of evidence tampering.
Chakma, who previously served as Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh, is currently lodged in judicial custody and faces grave allegations under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).
Bribery Allegation and Arrest
On June 9, the Odisha Vigilance Department arrested Chakma in a trap operation, allegedly while accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe from a stone crusher owner. The bribe was reportedly part of a larger ₹20 lakh demand to settle a ₹1.6 crore mining penalty.
Following his arrest, he was suspended from service and remanded to judicial custody.
Raids and Cash Seizure
Vigilance teams carried out simultaneous raids at Chakma’s residences across Odisha, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh, recovering unaccounted cash worth over ₹47 lakh. The large-scale operation added weight to the prosecution’s case and further intensified scrutiny of the officer’s conduct.
Vigilance Court Denies Bail
Earlier in March, the Vigilance Court rejected Chakma’s bail plea, citing:
Seriousness of charges under the PCA
Risk of evidence tampering
Magnitude of cash seized
Concerns over potential interference in the investigation
Plea Before the Orissa High Court
In his fresh petition to the Orissa High Court, Chakma has argued for bail on the following grounds:
No prior criminal record
Full cooperation with investigators
First-time offender status
The High Court is expected to schedule a hearing soon. Legal experts say the outcome could influence the approach taken in future corruption cases involving senior civil servants.
Wider Impact on Bureaucracy
Chakma’s arrest has sparked widespread concern within administrative and political circles. Once celebrated for rising from a remote Tripura village to the IAS, his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal has raised questions about ethical standards in the civil service.
What Next?
The Odisha Vigilance Department continues to probe the case, and further developments are likely based on emerging evidence. The High Court’s decision on bail could set a precedent for how serious corruption cases involving IAS officers are adjudicated in the future.
