Latest news with #DhimanChakma
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
Senior Civil Servant Arrested In Odisha For Accepting Rs 10 Lakh Bribe, Additional Rs 47 Lakh Found At Residence
The Odisha Vigilance Department apprehended Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch Indian Administrative Service officer serving as Sub-Collector in Kalahandi district, on Sunday for allegedly receiving a Rs 10 lakh bribe payment. The arrest occurred as part of a larger Rs 20 lakh extortion scheme targeting a local business owner. The complainant businessman reported that Chakma had demanded the substantial sum under threat of taking punitive action against his commercial operations. According to the filed complaint, the civil servant summoned the businessman to his official government quarters in Dharamgarh to collect the illicit payment. Anti-corruption officials detailed how the mid-30s officer received the bribe money and secured it within a table drawer at his residence. The vigilance team observed Chakma methodically counting 26 bundles of Rs 100 denomination notes before storing the cash in his office table drawer. "The officer called the complainant to his official government residence at Dharamgarh, received the bribe amount and kept the same inside his table drawer," the vigilance department stated, as reported by PTI news agency. During subsequent searches of Chakma's official residence, investigators discovered approximately Rs 47 lakh in additional cash, significantly expanding the scope of the corruption investigation. The substantial amount found during the raid suggests a pattern of corrupt practices beyond the immediate bribery incident. Authorities have formally charged the IAS officer under applicable provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, following his arrest and the cash seizure from his government accommodation. The legislation provides enhanced penalties for public servants found guilty of accepting bribes or engaging in corrupt practices. The case highlights ongoing challenges with corruption among India's civil service ranks, particularly involving relatively junior officers who hold significant administrative power at the district level. Sub-Collectors typically oversee revenue administration, land records, and various licensing functions that directly impact local businesses. Officials confirmed that comprehensive investigations against Chakma are continuing, suggesting authorities are examining whether additional victims or corrupt transactions may be involved. The vigilance department's successful operation demonstrates active monitoring of potential corruption cases within the state administration.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Odisha IAS officer caught accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe, half of amount demanded
The Odisha Vigilance Department on Sunday caught Dhiman Chakma, a 2021 batch IAS officer, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. Chakma, posted as a Sub-Collector in Odisha's Kalahandi district, had demanded Rs 20 lakh from a local businessman, and was allegedly accepting a part instalment of the businessman, who filed a complaint against Chakma, alleged that the IAS officer threatened to act against his business if he did not pay him the amount to the complaint, the Sub-Collector called him to his official government residence in Odisha's Dharamgarh, received the bribe amount, and put it inside a table drawer there. Chakma, in his mid-30s, 'called the complainant to his official government residence at Dharamgarh, received the bribe amount and kept the same inside his table drawer', news agency PTI quoted the vigilance department as officer allegedly counted all 26 bundles of Rs 100 notes of different denominations and then placed the cash inside the drawer of his residence office table. The Vigilance Department also recovered around Rs 47 lakh worth of cash during searches from his official the IAS officer's arrest and the cash recovery from his house, a case has been registered against him under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, investigation against Chakma is underway, the officials said. IN THIS STORY#Odisha
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Odisha IAS officer caught accepting ₹10 lakh bribe in Kalahandi district
An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer serving as the sub-collector of Dharamgarh in Odisha's Kalahandi district was arrested by Vigilance officials on Sunday, June 8, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh from a local businessman. According to the Odisha Vigilance Department, the accused IAS officer, identified as Dhiman Chakma (2021 batch), was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe at his official government residence in Dharamgarh. 'On June 8, 2025, a short while ago, Dhiman Chakma, an IAS officer of (2021 batch) and a sub-collector of Dharamgarh area of Kalahandi district, has been caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 10,00,000 from a local businessman as an instalment of the overall demand of ₹20 lakh bribe, threatening to act against his business otherwise,' the Vigilance department said in an official statement. The vigilance team reported that Chakma called the complainant to his government residence, verified 'the 26 number of 100-note bundles of different denominations with both his hands', and placed the money in his office table drawer. Following the operation, officials conducted a search at Chakma's residence and discovered ₹47 lakh in unaccounted cash. 'Both hand wash and table drawer wash gave a positive chemical reaction. Following this, further ₹47 lakh cash has been recovered during searches at his official residence. Further searches in progress,' the Vigilance statement said. A case has been registered against the officer under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The Vigilance department confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption involving the sub-collector. Who is Dhiman Chakma? Dhiman Chakma hails from Kanchanpur in Tripura. A 2021 batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, he holds a BTech degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Agartala. Before joining the IAS, he reportedly served as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer in Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
Who Is Dhiman Chakma? Cracked UPSC Twice, First IFS Then IAS, Now Under Arrest
Last Updated: Dhiman Chakma, who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination not once but twice, had become a role model for IAS aspirants, especially from the northeast Dhiman Chakma's journey from the remote hills of Tripura to the elite ranks of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) once symbolised the triumph of grit and determination. Today, that story lies tainted in scandal. On June 8, Odisha Vigilance arrested the 2021-batch IAS officer after allegedly catching him red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh at his official residence in Kalahandi district. Chakma, who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination not once but twice, had become a role model for IAS aspirants from the northeast. But less than four years into service, he faces serious corruption charges that threaten to end a once-promising career. Until recently, Chakma served as Deputy Collector in Dharamgarh, a subdivision of Odisha's Kalahandi district. His administrative duties placed him in charge of local governance and rural development. But according to Odisha Vigilance officials, Chakma used his position to demand illegal payments. The bribe complaint came from a local businessman who operates a stone crusher unit. The businessman alleged that Chakma threatened to initiate action against his unit unless he paid Rs 20 lakh. When the first Rs 10 lakh installment was delivered, a trap laid by the Vigilance team caught Chakma allegedly accepting the cash. A chemical test confirmed traces of the bribe on his hands and office drawer. What followed was a raid on his residence that yielded Rs 47 lakh in cash. He has been booked under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (1988, amended 2018), and an investigation is underway to trace the source of the recovered money and ascertain whether more officials were involved. Dhiman Chakma's IAS Journey He first cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2019, securing a rank of 722, which got him into the Indian Forest Service (IFS). He was posted in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. But Chakma didn't stop there. In 2020, he appeared again for the exam, this time securing 482nd rank, and fulfilled his dream of joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). He was allocated the Odisha cadre. As a 2021-batch IAS officer, he underwent one year of rigorous training before being posted to Dharamgarh. For a while, his journey was held up as an example of what hard work could achieve, especially for candidates from northeastern states. After the news of Chakma's arrest broke, social media exploded with shocking comments. 'So much corruption in just four years?" read one post. Another questioned, 'What ethics are being taught to future administrators?" Public outrage was further fueled by the irony that Chakma had once spoken about transparency and good governance during his training and public interactions. Today, those very values are at the heart of the allegations against him. His arrest has renewed debate around the accountability of civil servants, especially those who enter the system through highly competitive exams like the UPSC. Critics argue that while the exam tests knowledge and aptitude, it may not always capture character. As the investigation continues, Chakma remains under scrutiny. The Rs 47 lakh cash recovery and the bribery allegation could potentially lead to suspension or even dismissal, depending on the trial's outcome. Odisha Vigilance is reportedly widening its probe to look into Chakma's other dealings during his tenure.
United News of India
6 hours ago
- United News of India
Odisha Vigilance arrests IAS officer Dhiman Chakma for accepting bribe
Bhubaneswar, June 9 (UNI) Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer and Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi, was arrested on Monday by Odisha Vigilance for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 10 lakh from a local businessman. Vigilance officials also recovered Rs. 47 lakh from his official residence during a search operation on Sunday. The IAS officer allegedly demanded a total bribe of Rs. 20 lakh, accepting Rs. 10 lakh as an installment while threatening to take action against the businessman if the payment was not made. With no other option, the complainant reported the matter to the Vigilance authorities. Acting on the complaint, a trap was laid on the night of June 8, and Dhiman Chakma was caught red-handed by a team of Odisha Vigilance in his government quarters at Dharamgarh, taking the bribe from the complainant. The entire bribe amount was recovered from Chakma's possession and seized in the presence of witnesses. Vigilance sources said that both hand-wash tests of Chakma gave positive chemical reactions, confirming acceptance and handling of the bribe money. Following the trap, simultaneous searches were conducted at his government quarters and office chamber in Dharamgarh. During the search, cash amounting to Rs. 47 lakh was unearthed from his residence. As he could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the large sum of money, it was seized. Dhiman Chakma was arrested on Monday and produced before the Vigilance Court in Kalahandi. The Vigilance Cell has registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and further investigation is underway. Earlier, Dhiman Chakma joined the Odisha cadre as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 2019 batch. After completing his training, he worked as an Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, from June 2021. In 2021, after clearing the Civil Services Examination, he was appointed as an IAS officer and assigned to the Odisha cadre. Following his training, he took charge as Sub-Collector, Dharamgarh, Kalahandi, in January 2024 and was serving in this position until his arrest. UNI DP BD
