The Odisha government has reinstated IAS officer Dhiman Chakma, nearly a year after he was suspended following his arrest in a high-profile bribery case that attracted widespread public attention. Chakma, a 2021-batch officer originally from Tripura, has now been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, according to an official notification issued on May 21, 2026.
Chakma was serving as the Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh in Odisha’s Kalahandi district when vigilance officials arrested him on June 8, 2025. He was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh at his official residence. The case gained significant attention after subsequent searches reportedly led to the recovery of more than ₹47 lakh in cash from locations linked to the officer.
Following his arrest, Chakma was remanded to judicial custody after a court rejected his bail application. The Odisha Vigilance Department has continued its investigation into the matter, examining financial transactions, assets, and other aspects connected to the allegations.
Government officials have clarified that the reinstatement should not be interpreted as a clean chit or exoneration. Under existing service rules, a suspended officer may be reinstated while criminal and departmental proceedings remain pending. Sources within the administration stated that the decision is purely procedural and administrative in nature and remains subject to the final outcome of the ongoing investigation and legal process.
The reinstatement has, however, triggered mixed reactions among the public and on social media platforms. Critics have questioned the timing of the move, arguing that it may send the wrong message while the investigation is still underway. Others have pointed out that reinstatement is a standard administrative practice and does not affect the merits of the case or the charges being investigated.
As legal and departmental proceedings continue, the case remains under close public scrutiny, with many awaiting the final findings of the vigilance probe and subsequent judicial proceedings.
