The Odisha Vigilance has deputed three teams to Tripura and Himachal Pradesh to carry out further verification related to suspended IAS officer Dhiman Chakma, who was recently caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs.10 lakh.
Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer posted as Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, was arrested under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, on June 9 for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.10 lakh from a local businessman.
During a subsequent search at his official residence, Vigilance officials recovered Rs.47 lakh in cash.
He was later arrested and forwarded to court, which rejected his bail plea and remanded him to judicial custody.
The IAS officer was later suspended by the Odisha Governor on June 10.
Sources in the Odisha Vigilance Directorate said the teams are conducting searches and verification at Chakma’s residence in Kanchanpur, North Tripura, and at his in-laws’ house in Saminala, under Manali Police Station in Himachal Pradesh, based on search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhawanipatna.
Officials said documents related to deposits, bank investments, and other financial instruments are being collected and scrutinized.
The details of other movable and immovable assets are also being verified from a Disproportionate Assets (DA) angle.
