Odisha: IAS officer Dhiman Chakma remanded to 14-days judicial custody in bribery case

Dharamgarh, June 10: Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Odisha's Kalahandi district, IAS officer Dhiman Chakma, who was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh, has been remanded to 14-days judicial custody.

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As per reports, Chakma was sent to judicial custody after Special Vigilance Court in Bhawanipatna denied his bail plea.

Notably, Chakma (36) was caught by the Odisha Vigilance Department on Sunday for allegedly taking an Rs 10 lakh bribe from a local businessman. Later, officials searched his official residence and found another Rs 47 lakh unaccounted cash.

The businessman, who runs a stone crusher unit, said that Chakma had asked him to pay a total bribe of Rs 20 lakh and had threatened to take action against his business if he didn’t pay. 

The Vigilance Department laid a trap and caught Chakma red-handed while he was taking the first part of the bribe, Rs 10 lakh, at his government house in Dharamgarh. 

Chemical tests proved that the money was indeed a bribe. The Odisha Vigilance Department has filed a case under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. 

Chakma had earlier served as a senior officer in the Forest Department at Baripada before being transferred to Dharmagarh. He had been holding the Sub-Collector post for nearly a year. 

The Vigilance Directorate has launched a detailed investigation into the matter, including a probe into Chakma’s assets and financial transactions. Further legal proceedings are underway.