Patna: A report by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has triggered unease within Bihar’s bureaucracy after alleging that a well-known contractor arranged foreign trips for two IAS officers and their families in exchange for government contracts. The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) has begun acting on the findings.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, contractor Rishu Shri allegedly funded the entire travel and accommodation expenses for 2017-batch IAS officer Yogesh Kumar Sagar and 2014-batch IAS officer Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, enabling their families to travel to Europe and Australia. The ED has reportedly handed documentary evidence and digital records to the SVU.
Investigators also found that Rishu Shri allegedly paid Rs 9 lakh for rooftop gardening work at Abhilasha Sharma’s residence, raising further questions about favours granted in return for contracts.
SVU ADG Pankaj Darad confirmed that the Vigilance department has received the ED’s report. “The matter has been referred to the Additional Chief Secretary (Vigilance). After his approval, an FIR will be filed against both IAS officers,” Darad said.
Rishu Shri is already under investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. On 25 November, the ED raided nine of his locations across Ahmedabad, Surat, Gurugram and Delhi, recovering Rs 3.3 million in cash, digital devices and documents. The ED believes he paid substantial commissions to multiple officials to secure tenders across various Bihar government departments.
The SVU is expected to proceed with a formal case once administrative approval is completed, marking one of the most significant corruption probes involving serving IAS officers in recent years.
