Patna: Bihar cadre IAS officer Sanjeev Hans has said he will challenge the chargesheet filed against him in the alleged “Bihar Tender Scam”, arguing that the case is based largely on allegations that have already been examined by the courts in earlier proceedings.
The claim was made in a statement issued by his legal counsel, advocate Farrukh Khan, in response to a recent press conference held by Bihar’s Special Vigilance Unit (SVU). Khan described the case as “misconceived, malicious and contrary to the official record”, and maintained that no fresh incriminating material had been brought on record against his client.
According to the statement, Hans, a senior bureaucrat who served the Bihar government for nearly three decades, intends to pursue all available legal remedies against the chargesheet while continuing to contest the allegations levelled against him.
Defence Highlights Administrative Record
In the statement, Hans’s counsel pointed to several projects undertaken during his tenure in government, including the Gangajal Drinking Water Supply Scheme, which was implemented while he served as Secretary of the Water Resources Department.
The statement also highlighted his role in the Rubber Dam Project on the Falgu river in Gaya and his subsequent tenure as Principal Secretary of the Energy Department and Chairman of Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited, where he was credited with overseeing reforms in the state’s power sector.
According to the defence, these achievements stand in contrast to what it described as repeated attempts to implicate Hans in proceedings that have not withstood judicial scrutiny.
Reference To Earlier Court Orders
Khan argued that FIR No. 18/2023, registered at Rupaspur police station in Patna and cited as the basis for subsequent proceedings, was quashed by the Patna High Court on August 6, 2024.
The decision was later upheld when the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the High Court’s ruling, the statement said.
The defence further noted that while granting bail to Hans in proceedings initiated by the Directorate of Enforcement in October 2025, the Patna High Court observed that there were no reasonable grounds to believe he had been involved in concealing, layering or laundering alleged proceeds of crime.
Challenge To Allegations In SVU Case
According to Hans’s legal team, FIR No. SVU-05/2025 largely reproduces allegations that had already surfaced during Enforcement Directorate proceedings and does not contain any new incriminating material.
The statement specifically disputed allegations concerning the Birpur Physical Modelling Centre project. It claimed official records show that the relevant tendering process had commenced before Hans assumed charge as Secretary of the Water Resources Department.
Khan also stated that the Departmental Tender Committee, chaired by Hans, had initially recommended rejection of the tender and that subsequent decisions were taken following directions from the World Bank and in accordance with due process.
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Concerns Over Repeated Allegations
The defence also challenged allegations linked to complaints filed by Gayatri Kumari and Sunil Kumar Sinha, arguing that these issues had already been subjected to judicial scrutiny in proceedings connected to the earlier FIR that was subsequently quashed.
Khan said the repeated use of allegations that have already been examined by constitutional courts raises concerns about attempts to revive claims that have previously been set aside.
Referring to the recent SVU press conference, the statement argued that several allegations discussed publicly were substantially drawn from the quashed FIR and questioned the continued reliance on material that had already been reviewed by the courts.
Legal Challenge Planned
Hans’s counsel said the former bureaucrat is preparing to challenge the chargesheet filed in FIR No. SVU-05/2025 and pursue all legal remedies available under law.
The statement said Hans continues to maintain faith in the judicial process and intends to defend himself through legal channels.
“He remains committed to protecting his reputation against repeated attempts at malicious prosecution and unwarranted public vilification,” the statement said.
The Special Vigilance Unit has alleged irregularities and disproportionate assets in its investigation, while Hans has consistently denied wrongdoing. The matter is now expected to be contested before the courts as legal proceedings continue.
