Patna: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the alleged Bihar tender scam, summoning six senior IAS officers for questioning over suspected irregularities in government tender allocations and possible money laundering.
Two officers have been questioned so far, while the remaining four have been called to appear on separate dates, according to sources. The agency is examining the officials’ alleged roles in the tender allocation process and whether government contracts were influenced through irregular means.
IAS officer Abhilasha Sharma was questioned on Monday, while Sunil Yadav, Special Secretary in the Labour Resources Department, underwent six hours of questioning on Tuesday, sources said.
Dharmendra Kumar is scheduled to appear on Wednesday. Yogesh Sagar has reportedly sought additional time, requesting an extension until next week.
Santosh Kumar Mall has been summoned for questioning on October 29, while senior IAS officer Anand Kishore has been asked to appear at the ED office on October 30.
The questioning is part of the agency’s efforts to establish the roles of officials in the alleged tender manipulation network. However, being summoned or questioned does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing.
High Court questions scope of investigation
The investigation has come under increased scrutiny following observations by the Patna High Court during a hearing on an anticipatory bail plea filed by Rishu Shri.
The court questioned the ED’s claim that the petitioner was the key mastermind behind alleged money laundering through the manipulation of government tenders. It observed that, prima facie, the petitioner might be a pawn, while the alleged masterminds could be operating behind the scenes.
In its response to the court, the ED said it had shared credible information concerning six senior officials. An FIR was subsequently registered against three officials — Mumukshu Chaudhary, Tarani Das and Umesh Kumar.
The court questioned why all six officials whose names had reportedly been shared by the ED had not been named as accused in the relevant FIR.
The observations have brought the investigative agencies’ handling of the case under closer scrutiny and raised questions about whether the probe has adequately examined the alleged network behind the tender irregularities.
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ED Summons Seven IAS Officers In Bihar Tender Scam Probe After Patna High Court Observations
Probe focuses on alleged tender manipulation
The ED is examining the tender allocation process, suspected irregularities and the roles of officials who may have influenced government contracts.
The agency’s questioning of senior bureaucrats is intended to clarify their alleged links to the suspected network and determine whether further action is warranted.
The outcome of the interrogations is expected to guide the next phase of the investigation. The allegations remain under investigation, and the involvement of individual officers must be established through evidence and due legal process.
