The government of Odisha has officially brought IAS officer Dhiman Chakma back into active service. Following this decision, he has been given a new posting as the Deputy Secretary in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. This administrative move takes place approximately one year after he was originally suspended from his duties due to his involvement in a major corruption case.

Senior officials have explicitly clarified the terms of this return, stating that the reinstatement does not mean he has been cleared of the charges. The official stance remains firm because both the departmental inquiry and the criminal case are still fully pending against him.

Officer Arrested Following Official Bribery Complaint

Dhiman Chakma is an officer from the 2021-batch IAS cadre. At the time of the incident, he was serving the state as the Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh, which is located within the Kalahandi district. His run-in with the law occurred when the Odisha Vigilance department arrested him on 8th June, 2025. The severe law enforcement action was initiated immediately after authorities received a formal complaint from a local businessman. This businessman operated a stone crusher unit in the region and came forward to expose the illicit demands being made by the administrator.

According to detailed statements from Vigilance officials, Chakma had sought ₹20 lakh from the businessman. To ensure compliance, the officer allegedly warned him of official trouble if the demand was not met. Refusing to yield to the pressure, the businessman reportedly recorded the conversation to secure evidence of the extortion and subsequently approached the Vigilance Directorate for help. Based on the concrete evidence provided in the complaint, law enforcement officials kept the officer under close surveillance and meticulously planned a trap operation.

During the execution of this targeted operation, Chakma was caught red-handed while accepting ₹10 lakh. Investigators noted that this substantial sum of money was said to be the first instalment of the demanded amount. Immediately following the successful sting operation, a formal criminal case was subsequently registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Large Sums of Cash Recovered During Official Property Searches

The legal trouble for the officer deepened immediately after he was taken into custody. Soon after the arrest, specialized Vigilance teams moved in to conduct thorough searches of Chakma’s official residence. During the searches, officials reportedly recovered ₹47 lakh in cash hidden within the property. This massive monetary recovery led investigators to widen their probe into his personal finances, overall assets, and previous official postings to check for a broader pattern of corruption.

Authorities have publicly stated that the ongoing investigation is examining the full extent of the misconduct. Furthermore, the specialized team is working to uncover whether there were any other irregularities linked to the officer during his tenure in public service.

Official Suspension and Subsequent Release on Bail

The administrative backlash from the state government was swift. Two days after the arrest, on 10th June, 2025, the state government placed Chakma under suspension and started departmental proceedings against him. On that same day, he was also produced before a court in connection with the case to face the initial legal charges filed by the state.

The officer remained in custody for several weeks while his legal team fought for his release. Later, on 24th July, 2025, the Orissa High Court granted him bail, allowing him to leave jail while awaiting his trial.

Service Rules Dictate Why He Has Been Reinstated

The decision to bring a controversial officer back into the government fold has raised questions, but state administrators point directly to protocol. Government sources said the latest reinstatement follows service rules that deal with long periods of suspension. Under these standard bureaucratic regulations, a suspension cannot be extended indefinitely without continuous justification.

However, leadership has emphasized that the move does not affect the ongoing legal and departmental proceedings. The administrative return to a desk job is entirely separate from his legal accountability. The departmental inquiry and the criminal trial before the Vigilance Court will continue separately. Government officials have stressed that Chakma’s future in service will depend on the final outcome of these proceedings. Any further action against him will be decided after the court delivers its verdict and the inquiry process is completed.