Agartala: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has searched 13 locations across Tripura, West Bengal and Maharashtra in connection with an alleged fake government tender racket involving suspended Abhishek Chandra, a 2003-batch IAS officer of the Tripura cadre and his associates.
The searches were conducted on November 4 by the agency’s Agartala Sub-Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The investigation concerns allegations that a Nagpur-based company was induced to deposit approximately ₹14.55 crore as earnest money deposits (EMDs) against government tenders that were never issued.
According to the ED, the alleged racket involved the use of a fictitious entity operating under the name of the Directorate of Higher Education to collect money through purported government contracts.
₹14.55 Crore Collected Through Purported Government Tenders
The investigation originated from a complaint filed by Nagpur-based M/s SK Sales Corporation against Abhishek Chandra and other alleged co-conspirators.
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The company alleged that it was persuaded to deposit approximately ₹14.55 crore between September 2024 and February 2025 as EMDs for purported Tripura government tenders relating to:
- The Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
- The power sector.
The ED stated that the tenders against which the deposits were collected had never actually been floated by the government.
An FIR was registered at Capital Complex Police Station in West Tripura, following which the agency initiated a money-laundering investigation.
How the Alleged Fake Tender Network Operated
According to the investigation, Chandra allegedly projected himself as an influential authority overseeing government tender-related processes and introduced the complainant to Utpal Kumar Chowdhury, who was presented as the person responsible for processing payments.
The company was allegedly instructed to submit demand drafts in favour of an entity called the Directorate of Higher Education.
However, investigators found that the entity was reportedly not an actual government department but a private proprietorship belonging to Chowdhury, operating under a name similar to the official department.
The ED also alleged that forged tender notices and work orders were used to make the transactions appear legitimate.
A joint venture involving Krishna Chakraborty, represented by her husband Sudip Paul, was allegedly used to facilitate the collection of funds. Investigators also suspect that partial refunds were made at intervals to maintain the complainant’s confidence and encourage further deposits.
Shell Companies, Hawala Transactions and Property Investments Under Probe
The ED suspects that the money collected through the alleged racket was subsequently routed through multiple shell companies, some reportedly registered in the names of domestic workers and associates.
Investigators are also examining the alleged use of the proceeds for property investments, including properties in Mumbai.
Part of the money is suspected to have been channelled through a Kolkata-based hawala operator. The agency is also examining alleged expenditure on overseas travel and expensive purchases.
During the latest searches, ED officials seized:
- Documents relating to suspected hawala transactions.
- Records of high-value properties.
- Documents indicating possible indirect control over corporate entities.
- Digital devices and electronic records belonging to the accused persons.
The agency said the seized material could provide important leads in tracing the alleged financial transactions.
Separate Investigation Involves More Than ₹44 Crore
The ED also referred to a separate investigation involving Chowdhury and other alleged associates, arising from five FIRs registered in Tripura and West Bengal.
According to the agency, the investigation concerns alleged fraud exceeding ₹44 crore involving multiple victims and the use of the same fictitious organisation and a similar modus operandi.
The agency had issued provisional attachment orders in that separate case on January 22 and July 31, 2026.
The latest searches form part of the continuing investigation into the alleged financial network. The ED is examining the seized documents and digital evidence to establish the money trail and identify the involvement of other individuals and entities.
