Dhiman Chakma’s Bribery Case: Odisha Vigilance Teams Conduct Multi-State Searches in Tripura, Himachal Pradesh
In a widening probe into the sensational bribery case involving Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, special teams of the Odisha Vigilance have launched simultaneous search operations across multiple states, including Tripura and Himachal Pradesh. The intensified investigation comes in the wake of Chakma’s arrest on June 9 for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh from a local businessman in Kalahandi district.
According to a senior Odisha Vigilance official, three dedicated teams have been dispatched to locations in North Tripura and Himachal Pradesh that are linked to Chakma. These include his ancestral home in Kanchanpur, North Tripura, and two properties connected to his in-laws at Saminala (under Manali police station) and Rangbey (under Keylong police station) in the Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh, respectively.
Search operations at these locations are being conducted under the authority of search warrants issued by the Special Judge (Vigilance), Bhawanipatna. Officials are examining financial records, documents related to bank deposits, investment portfolios, movable and immovable properties, and other material relevant to the investigation. The focus, according to Vigilance sources, is also on probing whether Chakma amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The Trap and Arrest
The case against Chakma began to unfold on June 8 when he was allegedly caught red-handed by Odisha Vigilance while accepting ₹10 lakh in cash from a businessman. The businessman, who operates a stone crusher unit, had reportedly been coerced by Chakma, who was serving as Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district at the time. According to the complaint, Chakma had demanded a total bribe of ₹20 lakh, threatening to shut down the businessman’s operations unless payment was made.
Based on this complaint, a trap was laid. As soon as Chakma accepted the ₹10 lakh in cash—an initial installment—he was apprehended. The following day, June 9, Vigilance officials searched his official residence in Dharamgarh and reportedly recovered ₹47 lakh in unaccounted cash.
A case has since been registered against Chakma under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The Odisha government has also placed him under immediate suspension following his arrest.
A Promising Career Tainted
Dhiman Chakma’s arrest has sent shockwaves through administrative circles, not just in Odisha but also in his home state of Tripura. Originally hailing from Kanchanpur in North Tripura, Chakma first entered government service as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer in 2019. He was posted as Assistant Conservator of Forests in Baripada, Mayurbhanj.
Driven by ambition, he reappeared for the civil services examination and successfully cleared it with a higher rank in 2021, earning a place in the coveted Indian Administrative Service (IAS). His posting as Sub-Collector in Dharamgarh was considered a stepping stone toward a promising bureaucratic career. However, the bribery allegations have abruptly halted that trajectory.
Wider Implications
The arrest and the ongoing investigation underscore the Odisha government’s apparent determination to root out corruption within its ranks. The deployment of Vigilance teams across state lines suggests the seriousness with which the authorities are pursuing this case.
Moreover, the developments have stirred political discussions in both Tripura and Odisha. In Tripura, where Chakma is a well-known figure in the local Chakma tribal community, the news has been met with disappointment. Community leaders have expressed shock and concern, while some have urged a thorough and impartial investigation.
As the Vigilance teams continue their verification drives in Tripura and Himachal Pradesh, questions are being raised about how a young officer, barely a few years into service, could have accumulated such substantial unaccounted wealth.
Sources say that once the search operations are completed, a comprehensive financial audit and property valuation will follow. If evidence of disproportionate assets is established, further charges could be added to the current case.
With each passing day, new layers of the case are unfolding, and the spotlight remains firmly on Chakma and the bureaucratic mechanisms that enabled such alleged corruption to thrive.
|Also Read : IAS Officer from Tripura Dhiman Chakma Arrested While Taking Bribe In Odisha |
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