Tripura IAS Officer Arrested for Corruption in Odisha
Corruption Charges Against IAS Officer
Agartala, June 10: An IAS officer from Tripura, who was once celebrated as a role model within the tribal community, has been detained on serious corruption allegations in Odisha.
Dhiman Chakma, a 36-year-old officer from the 2021 batch, was serving as the Sub-Collector in Dharamgarh, Kalahandi district. He was apprehended by Vigilance officials on Sunday night for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh from a local entrepreneur.
On the following day, a local court placed him in judicial custody.
As per reports, the complainant, who operates a stone crushing business, reported Chakma to the Vigilance Department after he allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh, threatening to falsely implicate him if the payment was not made.
A trap was set, leading to Chakma's arrest while he was reportedly receiving the initial payment at his official residence.
“Chakma accepted the cash bundles with both hands and stored them in a drawer in his office. Chemical tests confirmed that the tainted notes had been in contact with the drawer, validating the transaction,” stated Vigilance Director Yeshwant Jethwa to local media.
After his arrest, Vigilance teams conducted searches at Chakma’s official residence late at night, uncovering ₹47 lakh in unaccounted cash concealed in various places. The source of this money is currently under investigation.
A case has been filed under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and a thorough investigation is ongoing.
Chakma, originally from Kanchanpur in North Tripura, had previously inspired many with his journey.
He graduated from NIT Agartala and succeeded in the UPSC examination on his final attempt while serving as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, achieving an All India Rank of 482.
His ascent from a remote tribal area to the IAS had garnered admiration throughout the region.
Now, his career is at a critical juncture as the investigation progresses, with senior officials closely observing the developments, which may lead to significant administrative and legal consequences.