In a dramatic development that blends crime, arrogance, and a whole lot of cash, Odisha’s Dharamgarh Sub-Collector Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer, found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons today. Caught red-handed accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe at his official government residence, Chakma’s “business-as-usual” approach to corruption was promptly shattered by the state Vigilance team.
According to official sources, Chakma had allegedly demanded a total of ₹20 lakh from a local businessman—₹10 lakh of which he received today as the first installment. The rest, perhaps, was meant to follow, but fate—and the Vigilance Department—had other plans.
The officer invited the complainant to his residence in Dharamgarh, where he not only accepted the cash but also manually verified all 26 bundles of ₹100 notes before tucking them neatly into his office drawer. And just like a scene from a crime drama, both his hands and the drawer turned chemical-positive during the trap proceedings.
But the story didn’t end there. As searches continued post-trap, officials unearthed an additional ₹47 lakh in cash hidden inside the same government bungalow. Yes, you read that right—₹47 lakh in hard currency, just sitting around while citizens fight for ration cards and basic services.
The Odisha Vigilance has now officially registered the case under Case No. 6/2025 at the Vigilance Cell PS, citing Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). And while the investigation is still underway, one thing is already clear: for Chakma, the tables have turned—quite literally.
In a nation where the IAS badge still commands respect, such cases hit hard—not just because of the scandal, but because of the sheer betrayal of public trust. At a time when the state machinery talks about transparency, officers like Chakma remind us that some still treat their posts like personal ATM counters.
As of now, the Vigilance team is still counting. And the rest of us? We’re watching—with raised eyebrows and growing cynicism.
