Vigilance teams probe properties of suspended IAS officer Dhiman Chakma in bribery case

Bhubaneswar, June 18: Odisha Vigilance officials have launched a multi-state investigation into the assets of suspended IAS officer Dhiman Chakma, who was recently arrested in a high-profile bribery case.

Chakma, a 2021-batch officer and former sub-collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, was apprehended on June 8 for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh from a local businessman. He was placed under suspension two days later, on June 10.

As part of the ongoing investigation, three Vigilance teams have been dispatched to Tripura and Himachal Pradesh. Searches are being conducted at Chakma’s residence in Kanchanpur, North Tripura, and at his in-laws’ homes in Saminala (Manali) and Rangbey (Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh). The searches are being carried out with warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Court in Bhawanipatna.

Officials are examining documents related to bank deposits, investments, and property holdings to assess whether Chakma amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Chakma, who began his civil service career in the Indian Forest Service in 2019 before becoming an IAS officer, allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh in bribes. Vigilance officials also recovered ₹47 lakh in unexplained cash from his residence. His bail plea was rejected by the Bhawanipatna Vigilance Court on Tuesday.