IAS Officer Dhiman Chakma has been caught taking ₹10 Lakh bribe in Odisha.
In a major embarrassment for the civil services, Dhiman Chakma, a 36-year-old 2021-batch IAS officer from the Odisha cadre, has been caught red-handed accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe by the Odisha Vigilance Directorate. The incident occurred in Dharamgarh, Kalahandi district, where Chakma was posted as Sub-Collector.
During follow-up raids at his official residence and office, vigilance officials also seized ₹47 lakh in unaccounted cash, adding gravity to the case.
The Bribery Allegation: What Happened?
According to vigilance officials, the ₹10 lakh bribe was the first installment of an alleged ₹20 lakh demand made to a local businessman running a stone-crushing unit. The businessman, fearing harassment or punitive action, filed a complaint with authorities. Acting on the complaint, officials laid a trap and caught Chakma red-handed while accepting the bribe at his government residence.
Subsequent searches revealed 26 bundles of currency notes in his office drawer, and a chemical test confirmed traces of the bribe on Chakma’s hands and office furniture. The recovered ₹47 lakh was found at his official quarters.
A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended 2018), and the investigation is ongoing to determine if others were involved.
Who is IAS Dhiman Chakma?
Originally from Kanchanpur, Tripura, Dhiman Chakma’s story had inspired many from underprivileged regions. The son of a schoolteacher and a homemaker, Chakma earned a B.Tech in Computer Science from NIT Agartala.
In 2019, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam with a 722nd rank, entering the Indian Forest Service (IFS).
Not content, he reattempted the exam in 2020, securing 482nd rank, which earned him a spot in the IAS (Odisha cadre).
After training, he was appointed as Deputy Collector in Dharamgarh and entrusted with administrative and developmental responsibilities.
Promising Career Now in Jeopardy
What began as an inspirational civil service journey has now been overshadowed by corruption charges. The early scandal has triggered intense criticism on social media and public platforms, where questions are being raised about the effectiveness of ethical training in the bureaucracy.
Wider Concerns Over Ethics in Civil Services
This incident highlights the persistent problem of corruption within India’s civil services, despite tough entry barriers and professional training. It reflects the systemic vulnerabilities in governance and raises questions about administrative integrity.
What Lies Ahead?
The Odisha Vigilance Directorate continues its investigation. The legal process will determine Dhiman Chakma’s future in the civil services, but as of now, his once-promising career hangs in the balance, tarnished by allegations that have shocked the administrative community.
