Agartala: May 09: Odisha Vigilance on Sunday arrested Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer of Tripura origin, on charges of bribery. Currently serving as the Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, Chakma was caught red-handed while accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe from a local businessman.
The arrest was made at Chakma’s government residence, where vigilance officials laid a trap following a formal complaint. The complainant, a businessman operating stone crusher units in the officer’s jurisdiction, alleged that Chakma had demanded ₹20 lakh to facilitate official clearances. Acting swiftly, the vigilance team caught the officer in the act while accepting half the demanded amount.
Following the arrest, a search of Chakma’s residence led to the recovery of an additional ₹47 lakh in unaccounted cash. The money, found hidden in a table drawer and other concealed spots, was seized as part of the ongoing investigation.
Vigilance Director Yeshwant Jethwa confirmed the development, stating that the trap was executed based on credible information provided by the complainant. Further searches are being conducted at other locations linked to Chakma to assess the extent of potential financial irregularities.
Dhiman Chakma, 36, hails from Tripura and holds a degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala. He left a lucrative private-sector job after successfully clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2021, securing a position in the Indian Administrative Service.
The arrest has sent shockwaves across bureaucratic and political circles, particularly in Tripura, where Chakma’s career had been seen as a source of inspiration for many aspirants. Odisha Vigilance officials stated that further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption and identify any possible collaborators.
