Kalahandi (Odisha) [India], June 9 (ANI): Dhiman Chakma, the Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, was caught red-handed on Monday by the Vigilance Department while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a local businessman.
According to an official release by the Odisha Vigilance, the 2021-batch IAS officer had demanded a total bribe of Rs 20 lakh, threatening to take action against the businessman’s enterprise if the payment was not made. Chakma allegedly called the complainant to his official residence in Dharamgarh, where he accepted the first installment of Rs 10 lakh.
The officer was apprehended during the act of verifying the 26 bundles of 100 notes of various denominations and placing the money inside his office table drawer. Both his hand wash and drawer wash tested positive for chemical traces, confirming the handling of the cash, the department stated.
Subsequent searches at his residence led to the recovery of an additional Rs 47 lakh in cash. A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).
Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
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