Patna: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened its investigation into the alleged Bihar tender scam, bringing government contracts awarded over the past eight to nine years under fresh scrutiny.
Investigators are focusing particularly on projects executed through the Urban Development and Housing Department and the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO), as the probe expands beyond the arrest of contractor Rishu Shri and the suspension of two IAS officers.
According to sources, the ED has compiled a list of companies that secured contracts from BUDCO since 2016 and has begun examining the tender allocation process, project execution records and financial transactions linked to those contracts.
Fifteen Companies Under Investigation
The agency has reportedly identified 15 companies that received BUIDCO contracts and is gathering detailed information relating to project budgets, tender approvals, work progress and payments.
Officials are examining multiple aspects of the contracts, including the nature of the projects, the firms awarded the work, the financial year in which the tenders were issued, project costs and the current status of implementation.
Investigators are also seeking to determine whether the projects were completed within stipulated timelines and whether contractual obligations were fulfilled.
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Among the companies under scrutiny are Reliable Enterprises and Reliable Infra Services Private Limited, both linked to Rishu Shri, the contractor at the centre of the alleged scam.
Other firms reportedly being examined include Shree Nestbuild Infra, Sai Ashirwad Construction, Ritashree Enterprises, Toshiba Water Solutions, Kevadiya Construction, Bhugan Infracon and Jainam Construction.
Sources said the investigation also extends to entities including Organica, Organica-121, JM Enviro, VA Tech Wabag and EMS Infracon.
Information Sought From Departments
According to sources familiar with the matter, the ED had sought detailed information from the Urban Development and Housing Department and BUDCO as early as June last year. Investigators, however, are said to be awaiting comprehensive responses to several queries.
The agency is examining whether irregularities occurred during the tendering process and whether specific companies received undue advantages in securing government contracts.
Questions regarding project quality, execution standards and payment approvals are also understood to form part of the ongoing inquiry.
Joint Focus Of ED And SVU
The investigation has gathered pace following recent enforcement actions, including the arrest of Rishu Shri and disciplinary action against senior officials whose names have surfaced during the probe.
Alongside the ED, Bihar’s Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) is conducting a parallel investigation into alleged irregularities linked to the tender allocation process.
Through raids, document seizures and witness examinations, both agencies have accumulated a substantial volume of evidence and financial records.
Administrative sources said efforts are now underway to consolidate findings from the ED and SVU investigations into a comprehensive report. The two agencies are expected to share information and coordinate their inquiries as the probe progresses.
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More Action Expected
Officials indicated that future enforcement measures, fresh disclosures and possible legal proceedings will depend on the conclusions drawn from the combined investigation.
With the inquiry now extending to nearly a decade of public contracts, the case is increasingly focusing on whether systemic irregularities existed in the awarding and execution of infrastructure projects across multiple government departments and agencies.
Investigators have not publicly disclosed any findings of wrongdoing against the companies under examination, and the probe remains ongoing.
