Once hailed as Tripura’s UPSC hero, IAS officer Dhiman Chakma caught taking Rs 10L bribe, Rs 47L more found in raid | Guwahati News
BHUBANESWAR: IAS officer Dhiman Chakma (36), once celebrated on social media for his inspiring journey as the first successful candidate from Tripura’s remote Kanchanpur town, was caught accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Sunday. Chakma was sent to judicial custody on Monday after the court rejected his bail plea.Chakma’s career began in 2019 when he was selected in UPSC’s Indian Forest Service. He joined as an assistant conservator of forests in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district. In 2024, he cleared the IAS exam and joined as sub-collector at Dharmagar in Kalahandi. His journey of becoming an IAS officer had captured public imagination. His story, featuring accounts of his preparation and eventual triumph, was widely shared on social media, inspiring countless aspirants.The narrative took a dark turn when Odisha vigilance arrested Chakma. Besides the bribe money, an additional Rs 47 lakh cash was recovered in a house search. “We are verifying his movable and immovable assets. Policy related decisions taken by him are also being scrutinised,” a vigilance official said.The contrast between Chakma’s past and present has sparked intense discussions on social media. “This case underscores how quickly public servants can deviate from their sworn duties in the very beginning of their career. It is very disappointing…,” retired DGP Santosh Kumar Upadhyay said. “The incident has prompted broader discussions about corruption in civil services and the need for stronger accountability measures. Chakma’s fall from grace also serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities that come with public service positions and the consequences of betraying public trust,” retired chief secretary Bijay Patnaik said.
