Patna: The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) has arrested three senior government officials in connection with the alleged Bihar tender scam, marking a major development in an ongoing investigation into corruption and irregularities in public contract allocations.
The arrested officials are Tarini Das, former Chief Engineer of the Building Construction Department; Mumukshu Chaudhary, an officer of Joint Secretary rank in the Finance Department; and Umesh Kumar Singh, former Executive Engineer in the Urban Development and Housing Department.
The arrests come after investigations by multiple agencies into alleged financial misconduct and the accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.
ED Raids Led to Recovery of Over Rs 11.50 Crore
In 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at premises linked to the three officials. According to investigators, cash and other assets worth more than Rs 11.50 crore were recovered during the raids.
The development followed earlier action by the SVU, which had arrested alleged tender scam kingpin Rishushri and his close associate Santosh Kumar from Patna.
The state government had also suspended two IAS officers, Yogesh Kumar Sagar and Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, over their alleged links to the case.
You may like to read this article as well:
Bihar Vigilance Unit Arrests Contractor Rishu Shri in Tender Manipulation and Money Laundering Case
FIRs Registered Over Disproportionate Assets
Following the ED searches, the SVU registered separate FIRs against Tarini Das, Mumukshu Chaudhary and Umesh Kumar Singh. The cases relate to allegations that the officials amassed wealth beyond their known sources of income by abusing their official positions.
Investigators have alleged that the accused used their authority to facilitate contracts and secure illegal financial gains over an extended period.
Allegations of Bribery and Contract Manipulation
According to the investigation report, Mumukshu Chaudhary allegedly awarded contracts worth several crores of rupees to companies linked to Rishushri while serving as Municipal Commissioner in Sitamarhi and Saharsa. Investigators claim these contracts were awarded in exchange for bribes.
Tarini Das has been accused of accepting cash commissions in connection with government works. The allegations had earlier led to the termination of his extended service tenure.
Meanwhile, investigators allege that Umesh Kumar Singh operated an organised corruption network in collaboration with contractors and agencies. The probe found that a fixed share of payments made to various agencies, including companies linked to Rishushri, was allegedly routed to Singh.
You may like to read this article as well:
Investigation Continues
Officials said the investigation is continuing and further action may follow based on evidence gathered during the probe. Authorities are examining financial transactions, contract records and links between government officials and private contractors as part of the wider inquiry into the tender scam.
The accused officials will face legal proceedings in accordance with the charges registered against them, while investigators continue to scrutinise the alleged corruption network linked to the case.
