Patna: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned IAS officer Santosh Kumar Mall for approximately eight hours on Thursday in connection with the alleged tender scam involving contractor Rishu Shri.
The questioning focused on Mall’s relationship with the contractor, the delivery of “mangoes”, a meeting with an individual based in Delhi and an alleged 7% commission, according to sources.
Investigators reportedly asked Mall why he had requested “mangoes” from Rishu Shri and why they were to be delivered in Delhi. They also sought details about the Delhi-based individual whom the contractor had allegedly sent to meet the officer.
The ED questioned Mall about when and how he became acquainted with Rishu Shri, the nature and duration of their association, and the alleged commission arrangement. Sources claimed that the officer did not provide answers to several key questions during the interrogation.
The agency is investigating alleged irregularities in government tenders and possible links between the contractor and public officials.
Dharmendra Kumar questioned for six hours
On Wednesday, IAS officer Dharmendra Kumar appeared at the ED’s Patna office in response to a summons. He was questioned for approximately six hours, from 11am to 5pm.
According to sources, investigators asked Kumar how he became acquainted with Rishu Shri and about the nature of their association. He was also questioned about why the contractor had allegedly facilitated a foreign trip for him.
The ED may summon Kumar again if further questioning is considered necessary.
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ED Summons Seven IAS Officers In Bihar Tender Scam Probe After Patna High Court Observations
Four IAS officers questioned so far
The questioning of senior officials began earlier this week, with IAS officer Abhilasha Kumari Sharma appearing before the agency on Monday, followed by Sunil Yadav on Tuesday. Yadav was questioned for around seven and a half hours.
The ED had issued summons to six IAS officers: Anand Kishore, Santosh Kumar Mall, Dharmendra Kumar, Yogesh Kumar Sagar, Abhilasha Kumari Sharma and Sunil Yadav.
Yogesh Kumar Sagar requested that his questioning be rescheduled for the following week, while the other officers were summoned to appear by October 30.
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High Court questions action against senior officials
The investigation gained momentum after the Patna High Court raised questions about the role of senior officials during a hearing on October 15. Rishu Shri had approached the court after his bail plea was rejected by the Vigilance Court.
During the hearing, the High Court questioned what action had been taken against the senior officials allegedly linked to the case. The court reportedly observed that Rishu Shri was merely a small pawn in the matter.
Following the court’s observations, the investigation into the alleged involvement of senior officials intensified, leading to the ED’s summons and questioning of IAS officers.
The investigation remains focused on alleged tender irregularities and the nature of the contractor’s relationships with government officials. The allegations against the individuals being questioned have not been established by the investigation described above.
