IAS officer Dhiman Chakma bribe case: Whistleblower crusher owner reveals details

In an exclusive revelation to OTV regarding the bribery scandal involving Dharamgarh Sub-Collector Dhiman Chakma, Harsh Bardhan Behera, the owner of a stone crusher unit, said that after being fined by Kalahandi district Mines Department over ‘excess mining’ charge, Chakma had demanded a bribe to reduce the penalty.

Also Read: IAS officer caught red-handed while accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe in Odisha

A major corruption scandal rocked Odisha’s Kalahandi district, where Dharamgarh Sub-Collector Dhiman Chakma was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe. The complainant, a local crusher owner, has come forward with exclusive claims that implicate the officer further. A detailed probe by Odisha Vigilance sleuths is underway.

Chakma demanded money to settle a case

According to Behera, his Amjore-based crusher unit was earlier fined Rs 1.60 crore, and his Mahichala coal tar pitch unit was slapped with an additional Rs 13.21 lakh fine. After the penalties were imposed, Chakma had summoned Behera and told him that if he paid Rs 20 lakh, the fines would either be reduced or waived.

“A drone survey was conducted by Areal Constructions & Geo-India Services (a construction and GIS-based consultancy) and ORSAC Empanelment Agencies on Date: 15.08.2024 in Amjore Stone Quarry in the presence of Mining and Revenue officials. As per the survey, excavated road metal of the quarry has been calculated, and a total volume of road metal excavated comes to around 32,559.936 cubic metres,” a Demand Notice previously issued by the Deputy Director of Mines, Kalahandi Circle, to the crusher unit owner mentioned.

Behera claimed Chakma had asked for the money to be delivered by May 14, and he met the official on May 20 as instructed. Sensing foul play, Behera had approached the Vigilance Department and lodged a formal complaint on June 1 seeking justice.

Acting on the complaint, Vigilance officials laid a trap and caught Sub-Collector Chakma red-handed on June 8 while accepting Rs 10 lakh from Behera. Subsequently, a raid at Chakma’s government residence led to the seizure of over Rs 47 lakh more in unaccounted cash.

The bribe case has sparked significant public outrage and is being seen as a critical test of the government’s commitment to transparency and anti-corruption measures.