Suspension of IAS Officer Dhiman Chakma

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha state administration has decided to suspend Dhiman Chakma, an IAS officer from the 2021 batch, following his arrest by the Vigilance Department on charges of corruption. This decision was confirmed through an official order from the General Administration and Public Grievance Department.

The order stated, "A case registered under Vigilance Police Station number 6 of 2025 against Dhiman Chakma, who is currently serving as the Sub-Collector in Dharmagarh, Kalahandi district, is under investigation. Therefore, the Governor of Odisha, exercising powers under Sub-rule 3 of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, has placed Dhiman Chakma under immediate suspension."

During his suspension, Chakma is required to report to the Odisha General Administration and Public Grievance Department in Bhubaneswar and is prohibited from leaving without prior approval from the relevant authority.

Chakma, aged 35, was apprehended by the Odisha Vigilance while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a local businessman on Sunday night. This amount was reportedly the first part of a larger demand totaling Rs 20 lakh.

Vigilance officials indicated that Chakma had threatened the businessman, who operates a stone crusher unit, with punitive action if his demand was not fulfilled. Faced with this coercion, the businessman sought assistance from the Vigilance authorities, leading to a trap being set.

"Following the complaint, a trap was executed on Sunday night, resulting in Dhiman Chakma being caught in the act at his official residence while accepting Rs 10 lakh in bribes," officials reported.

In the aftermath of his arrest, simultaneous searches were conducted at both his government residence and office. During these searches, an additional Rs 47 lakh in cash was discovered.

Originally from Tripura, Chakma joined the Odisha cadre as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer in 2019 and briefly served as an Assistant Conservator of Forests in Baripada, Mayurbhanj. He later reattempted the civil services examination, achieved a higher rank, and was inducted into the IAS in 2021. He has been serving as the Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh since January 2024.