Patna: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted raids at nine locations across four cities—Patna, Muzaffarpur, Panipat, and Surat—targeting Rishu Shri and his associates in connection with a suspected corruption and money laundering case involving government officials and private entities.
In Patna, six premises were searched, including the residence of Vinod Kumar Singh, a contractual Under Secretary in Bihar’s General Administration Department, located on Gola Road. According to sources, Singh allegedly facilitated transfers and postings of junior government employees at the behest of Rishu Shri, a businessman under investigation for his connections with several high-ranking officials.
Raids were also carried out at the Muzaffarpur residence of CA Avinash Kumar, believed to be closely linked to Rishu Shri, and at the premises of a travel agent in Patna, as well as locations in Panipat and Surat. These travel agents allegedly coordinated domestic and international tours for government officers and their families, again under instructions from Rishu Shri.
ED officials have reportedly recovered a significant cache of travel-related documents, detailing itineraries and bookings arranged for influential bureaucrats and their relatives. Several names of senior officers and their family members have emerged from these documents, pointing to a possible nexus between administrative insiders and private facilitators.
The probe has also revealed the involvement of Shri Ness Build Infra Private Limited, a company linked to Rishu Shri. Sources claim the company includes among its associates the wives and relatives of several bureaucrats. Documents seized during the raids indicate their financial or operational connection to the firm.
The latest ED action follows a recent FIR filed by the Bihar Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) against four individuals, including Rishu Shri and suspended IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, who is believed to have close ties with the businessman.
The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into the use of proxy entities, favours in postings, and misuse of official influence for personal and corporate gain. The ED has not yet issued an official statement regarding the seizures or arrests. The matter is under further investigation.
