Patna: A startling web of corruption has surfaced in Bihar’s corridors of power, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) unearthing documents suggesting that contractor Rishu Shri paid systematic bribes to several government officials—including senior IAS officer Sanjeev Hans—in exchange for rigging tenders across key infrastructure projects.
The revelations are part of an ED investigation submitted under case number 05/2025 to the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU), which triggered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) on Thursday. The FIR names IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, contractor Rishu Shri, his employee Santosh Kumar, private company director Pawan Kumar, and several unidentified officials from departments such as Urban Development and Housing, and Building Construction.
According to the FIR, searches at Rishu Shri’s premises yielded documents detailing a meticulous system of kickbacks. The bribes, allegedly disbursed as percentages of project values, were paid to officials to manipulate the tendering process in favour of preferred bidders.
Among the projects under scrutiny are the organic cleaning scheme of 33 drains, the Biharsharif and Muzaffarpur STP and sewage network schemes, and the Biharsharif Smart Road initiative. ED’s forensic audit of payments revealed unusually large sums disbursed as advances and unexplained “other expenses”—suspected to be fronts for illegal payments to officials at both senior and subordinate levels.
Investigators believe the funds were funnelled through Rishu Shri, who acted as the key middleman, orchestrating the network of payoffs in exchange for departmental approvals and favourable tender terms. The paper trail, officials say, includes specific notations of percentages aligned with payments, suggesting a well-oiled system of corruption.
The ED and SVU are now jointly working to identify the full extent of the alleged conspiracy. More arrests and departmental action are likely in the coming weeks as the probe deepens.
