Odisha Vigilance raids arrested IAS Dhiman Chakma’s property in Tripura, Himachal

Following the arrest of IAS officer Dhiman Chakma, sub collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi earlier this month on bribery charges, the Odisha Vigilance Department has deployed three teams to conduct verification and searches at locations linked to him in Tripura and Himachal Pradesh.

Chakma was arrested by the anti-corruption agency while allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe from a local businessman—the first installment of a Rs 20 lakh demand—by leveraging threats to shut the complainant’s stone-crusher business. 

Subsequent searches at his official quarters in Dharamgarh reportedly uncovered an unaccounted Rs 47 lakh in cash, validated through chemical tests on his hands. 

Following these developments, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered Chakma’s immediate suspension under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969. 

Probe Expands Beyond Odisha

Vigilance teams are now conducting searches at:

Kanchanpur, North Tripura- Chakma’s family home

Saminala (Manali, Kullu district) and Rangbey (Keylong, Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh)- his in-laws' residences

These searches, backed by warrants from the Special Judge (Vigilance), Bhawanipatna, aim to trace deposits, investments, and movable and immovable assets as part of a comprehensive investigation.

Background: Fall from Grace

Chakma joined the IAS after earlier qualifying for the IFS. Initially praised for his meteoric rise, his career path from NIT Agartala to Dharamgarh took a dramatic turn amid allegations of corruption. 

What’s Next

Searches remain underway. Documents related to bank deposits, financial instruments, and asset valuations are being scrutinised under the lens of disproportionate asset possession. The State Vigilance is also reportedly tracing the origin and chain of the illicit funds.