Patna: The investigation into alleged tender irregularities linked to contractor and liaison agent Rishu Shri has intensified, with enforcement agencies widening their scrutiny to officials who served in key infrastructure and construction-related departments between 2018 and 2024.
According to officials familiar with the inquiry, disciplinary and legal action has so far been initiated against around a dozen government officials, including three IAS officers, as investigators seek to uncover the full extent of what they describe as a network of influence surrounding government contracts and public works.
Among the most prominent names to emerge during the investigation are IAS officers Yogesh Kumar Sagar, Abhilasha Kumari Sharma and Sanjeev Hans. Several other officials, including Tarini Das, Mumukshu Chaudhary, Umesh Kumar Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Aiyaz Ahmed, Sagar Jaiswal, Vikas Jha and Saket Kumar, have also come under scrutiny.
Focus On Construction And Infrastructure Departments
Investigators are examining the roles of officials associated with departments and agencies that handled major public works projects, including the Water Resources Department, Building Construction Department, Urban Development and Housing Department, Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUDCO), and Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL).
Officials involved in the probe said they are attempting to reconstruct links between contractors, bureaucrats and government projects using documents recovered during searches and statements recorded from those connected to the case.
The agencies are particularly focused on whether undue favours were extended during the award and execution of government contracts.
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Cash, Property Documents And Digital Evidence Seized
The current phase of the investigation follows a series of Enforcement Directorate raids conducted in March last year at the residences and offices of several officials.
During those searches, investigators recovered cash amounting to Rs 11.65 crore, along with property documents, financial transaction records and electronic devices that are now being examined as part of the wider probe.
Among those whose premises were searched were Tarini Das, then Chief Engineer in the Building Construction Department; Mumukshu Chaudhary, then Joint Secretary in the Finance Department; and Umesh Kumar Singh, then an Executive Engineer in the Urban Development Department.
Searches were also carried out at locations linked to officials associated with BUIDCO and BMSICL.
Allegations Of Disproportionate Assets And Undue Favours
Following the ED raids, the Special Vigilance Unit registered cases against Tarini Das, Mumukshu Chaudhary and Umesh Kumar Singh.
The officials are accused of accumulating assets disproportionate to their known sources of income and of misusing their official positions in exchange for financial benefits.
According to investigation reports, Mumukshu Chaudhary is alleged to have extended undue favours to companies linked to Rishu Shri during his tenure as Municipal Commissioner. Tarini Das faces allegations of accepting commissions, while Umesh Kumar Singh is accused of colluding with contractors as part of an alleged corrupt nexus.
The officials have not publicly responded to the allegations.
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Agencies Prepare For Further Questioning
Investigators are now preparing to seek further custodial interrogation of Rishu Shri as they attempt to verify statements already recorded and analyse digital evidence recovered during searches.
Sources said call detail records, chat logs, financial transactions and other electronic records are being cross-checked to identify additional individuals who may have been connected to the alleged network.
A list of officials and other persons of interest is also being compiled on the basis of the evidence gathered so far.
More Revelations Expected
Both the Enforcement Directorate and the Special Vigilance Unit continue to pursue parallel investigations into the matter.
Officials involved in the inquiry said the focus remains on alleged tender manipulation, financial transactions linked to government contracts and the identification of public servants who may have benefited from the arrangement.
With investigators continuing to analyse documents, digital records and financial trails, sources indicated that further action and additional disclosures could follow in the coming weeks, potentially expanding one of Bihar’s most closely watched corruption investigations.
