IAS Officer Arrested in Odisha for Bribery
On June 9, 2025, an IAS officer in Odisha was arrested for bribery. Odisha Vigilance officials detained Dhiman Chakma, a 36-year-old IAS officer from the 2021 batch, for receiving a ₹10 lakh bribe from a businessman in Kalahandi district. Officers raided his official apartment and recovered a further ₹47 lakh in undeclared cash, indicating potential involvement in corrupt activities.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to find any more illegal financial transactions and to determine whether Chakma was part of a bigger network of corruption.
Context and Broader Implications:
Anti-Corruption Drive in Odisha This arrest is part of Odisha's increased vigilance against bureaucratic misconduct, reflecting a zero-tolerance policy by the state's anti-corruption agencies.
Historical Precedents:
Odisha has witnessed similar occurrences in the past. In December 2019, IAS officer Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya (2009 batch) was arrested for receiving a ₹1 lakh bribe for horticulture payments. Former ORHDC managing director Vinod Kumar (1989 batch) was convicted 11 times, including in January 2025 for a housing development scam worth ₹33 crore. He was condemned to three years' imprisonment with penalties.
Public Trust and Institutional Reform:
The repeated revelations of fraudulent behavior among senior state officers raise severe questions about the integrity and transparency of Odisha's public institutions. The state administration under CM Naveen Patnaik prioritizes transparency, although more administrative reforms, such as the "Mo-Sarkar" program inaugurated in 2019, are needed to boost public confidence.
