IAS Officer from Tripura Caught Red-Handed Accepting Rs 10 Lakh Bribe in Odisha; Vigilance Recovers Over Rs 47 Lakh More
In a major embarrassment for the civil service establishment, Odisha Vigilance Directorate officials on Sunday evening caught a 2021-batch IAS officer (482 Rank), from Tripura Dhiman Chakma, allegedly red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a local businessman at his official residence in Dharamgarh, Kalahandi district.
The officer, currently serving as Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh, has been booked under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Chakma, originally from Kanchanpur in Tripura, is a Computer Science graduate from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala, and had earlier served as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer in Mayurbhanj district before making it to the coveted Indian Administrative Service.
Today, Sri Dhiman Chakma, IAS (2021 batch), Sub-Collector, Dharamgarh, #Kalahandi, has been nabbed while taking bribe Rs. 10 Lakh from a businessman, threatening to act against his business otherwise. Further, Rs 47 lakh cash recovered during search at his govt. residence. pic.twitter.com/aIOuPdSq0d
— Odisha Vigilance (@OdishaVigilance) June 8, 2025
Bribe Demand of Rs 20 Lakh, Rs 10 Lakh Received
According to a press release by the Vigilance Directorate, the complainant – a local businessman whose identity is being withheld – approached the anti-corruption agency alleging that the IAS officer had demanded Rs 20 lakh as illegal gratification in return for undisclosed official favours. The businessman claimed he was repeatedly harassed and allegedly threatened with administrative action unless he complied with the demand.
Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance team laid a trap and monitored the transaction. On Sunday evening, Chakma reportedly summoned the complainant to his government bungalow in Dharamgarh, where he allegedly received the first installment of Rs 10 lakh in cash. Surveillance teams stationed nearby swooped in after the transaction.
Here’s Dhiman Chakma, the bright UPSC star, promising to lift the poor and serve the Northeast.
He put in the hard work at coaching, spent money and fortune in Delhi, and wore his “babugiri” like a badge of honour.
All that talk about sacrifice, only to be caught with ₹57… pic.twitter.com/KYI1putfDx
— Pip_Quips (@Pip_Quips) June 9, 2025
Cash Verified and Stored by Officer Himself
“The accused IAS officer personally received the bribe amount, verified the bundles of notes of various denominations with both his hands, and then placed the money inside the drawer of his residence-office table,” said an official from the Vigilance Directorate. “Subsequent hand wash and drawer wash tests showed positive chemical reactions, confirming physical contact with the tainted money.”
The operation was executed as per standard procedures under the anti-corruption framework, with video and photographic evidence being documented as part of the trap.
Searches Yield More Shocking Revelations
Following the arrest, Vigilance officials conducted a detailed search operation at Chakma’s official residence. During the course of the raid, a staggering Rs 47 lakh in unaccounted cash was recovered from various locations within the premises, including cupboards and hidden compartments. The seizure adds another layer of suspicion to the case and is likely to widen the scope of investigation into possible accumulation of disproportionate assets.
Vigilance sources confirmed that the search operation would continue through Monday morning. Officials are also investigating whether Chakma operated independently or if more public servants were involved in a larger nexus of corruption.
A Promising Career Now Under Cloud
The case has sent shockwaves across the bureaucratic circles in Odisha and beyond. Chakma’s journey from Tripura to the IAS had once inspired many. After securing a position in the Indian Forest Service, he cleared the Civil Services Examination again to join the Indian Administrative Service – considered the apex of India’s civil services.
His arrest marks one of the most high-profile catches in the recent history of Odisha Vigilance. The matter assumes added significance in light of the Centre’s repeated emphasis on transparency and probity in public service, particularly among the elite IAS cadre.
Political and Public Reactions
While the Odisha government is yet to issue an official statement, sources indicate that disciplinary proceedings against the officer may follow pending the outcome of the investigation. Public reactions on social media have been intense, with many expressing shock and outrage, especially given Chakma’s relatively young career and the scale of alleged corruption.
The Vigilance Directorate has urged the public to come forward with credible complaints against any government official demanding bribes or indulging in corruption. “We take every complaint seriously and act swiftly to uphold the integrity of public institutions,” a senior official said.
What Lies Ahead
As the investigation progresses, focus will also be on tracing the origin of the recovered cash and identifying any possible links to contractors, middlemen, or higher officials. The bribe trap, along with the subsequent recovery of cash, could trigger a broader probe into Chakma’s financial dealings and official decisions during his tenure in Dharamgarh.
If the charges are proven, the young IAS officer may face not just dismissal from service but also criminal prosecution, including imprisonment, under the stringent provisions of the anti-corruption laws.
The Vigilance Directorate is expected to hold a press briefing once the full details of the search and seizure operation are compiled.
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