IAS officer arrested in Odisha for accepting ₹10 lakh bribe; ₹47 lakh more seized from residence

A 2021-batch IAS officer posted as Sub-Collector in Odisha’s Dharamgarh has been arrested for accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh from a local businessman. Dhiman Chakma, originally from Tripura, was caught red-handed by the Odisha Vigilance Department at his official residence in Kalahandi district.

According to officials, Chakma had allegedly demanded a total of ₹20 lakh from the businessman, who owns a stone crusher unit, threatening regulatory action if the payment wasn’t made. The businessman approached Vigilance officials, who set a trap and caught Chakma in the act while receiving the first installment of ₹10 lakh.

The officer reportedly counted 26 bundles of currency notes himself before placing them inside his office drawer. Chemical tests on both his hands and the drawer were positive. A subsequent search of his residence led to the recovery of an additional ₹47 lakh in cash. The searches are still ongoing.

A formal case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The arrest adds to a growing list of corruption cases in the state, where the Vigilance Department booked 211 cases and arrested 179 public officials and private individuals in 2024 alone.