TNI Bureau: The Odisha government has reinstated suspended IAS officer Dhiman Chakma and posted him as Deputy Secretary in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, pending the outcome of ongoing departmental and criminal proceedings against him.

Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer, was arrested by the State Vigilance on June 8, 2025, while serving as Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh in Kalahandi district. He was accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a businessman operating a stone crusher unit.

Following his arrest, Vigilance officials conducted searches at his official residence and reportedly recovered Rs 47 lakh in cash. The state government suspended Chakma on June 10, 2025, and initiated departmental proceedings against him. He was subsequently produced before a court in connection with the case.

The Orissa High Court granted him bail on July 24, 2025. Sources said his reinstatement was carried out in accordance with service rules governing prolonged suspension periods.

Officials clarified that the reinstatement does not amount to exoneration. The departmental inquiry and the criminal case before the Vigilance Court will continue independently, and the government will take further action based on the final outcome of the judicial and departmental proceedings.