Odisha IAS Officer Suspended for Allegedly Taking Bribe

The Odisha government has suspended IAS officer Dhiman Chakma, accused of taking a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a businessman. Chakma was arrested on Sunday and sent to jail, but later shifted to a hospital due to health reasons. Vigilance officials also recovered Rs 47 lakh in cash during a raid at his official residence.

The Odisha government has suspended IAS officer Dhiman Chakma, who was arrested on Sunday for allegedly accepting a Rs 10 lakh bribe from a businessman in Kalahandi. The suspension comes after Chakma was initially placed under house arrest but later transferred to a hospital due to health concerns. During a raid at his official residence, vigilance officials recovered an additional Rs 47 lakh in unaccounted cash.

The Governor of Odisha, in exercise of powers conferred under sub-rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, has placed Chakma under suspension with immediate effect. The suspension order, issued by the state general administration department, states that Chakma is not to leave the headquarters without prior permission from the Governor. He is allowed to draw subsistence allowance during the suspension period, provided he furnishes a certificate that he is not engaged in any other employment, business, profession, or vocation [1] [2].

The suspension follows Chakma's arrest on Sunday, where he was caught demanding and accepting a bribe from a local businessman. The anti-corruption officials recovered Rs 10 lakh in bribe money during the trap operation at Chakma's residence in Dharamgarh. The subsequent house search yielded an additional Rs 47 lakh in unaccounted cash.

Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer and Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi, is currently under investigation for the bribery allegations. The order issued by the state general administration department specifies that Chakma's headquarters are fixed at the General Administration and Public Grievances Department, Bhubaneswar, and he is not to engage in any other employment or business during the suspension period [3].

The suspension of Chakma is a significant move by the Odisha government to ensure the integrity of its civil service and to maintain public trust in its institutions. The investigation into the bribery allegations is ongoing, and further developments in the case are expected to unfold in the coming days.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/arrested-ias-officer-suspended-for-graft/articleshow/121759561.cms
[2] https://www.uniindia.com/~/odisha-governor-suspends-ias-officer-dhiman-chakma-over-vigilance-probe/States/news/3486898.html
[3] https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-odisha-govt-takes-big-action-against-ias-dhiman-chakma-who-was-caught-accepting-rs-10-lakh-bribe-3158650