Bhubaneswar: Dhiman Chakma, Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, was arrested on Monday by Odisha Vigilance while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. The officer was produced in court following the arrest.
Chakma was caught red-handed while taking a bribe from a crusher unit owner in the Jayapatna area. Vigilance sources confirmed that the demand was part of a larger sum of Rs 20 lakh allegedly sought by the officer. The first instalment of Rs 10 lakh was reportedly being extorted in exchange for not initiating administrative action against the businessman.
During the trap laid by Vigilance, Chakma summoned the businessman to his official government quarters and allegedly verified 26 bundles of cash using both hands before placing the money inside his office table drawer. A subsequent chemical test confirmed the presence of bribe traces on his hands and the drawer surface.
Following the arrest, a detailed search was conducted at his official residence, leading to the recovery of Rs 47 lakh in cash. The amount was discovered hidden in various locations within the premises. Chakma reportedly failed to provide any satisfactory explanation for the seized cash.
A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), with Vigilance Cell PS Case No.-6/2025. Investigations are ongoing to trace further assets possibly acquired through corrupt means. Senior Vigilance officers are supervising the probe.
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