The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered fresh leads in an alleged Rs 44-crore fake government tender scam involving a suspended Tripura-cadre IAS officer, following searches at 13 premises across Tripura, West Bengal and Maharashtra.
The agency’s Agartala Sub-Zonal Office carried out the searches on November 4, targeting properties linked to the suspended bureaucrat, suspected hawala operators and several companies allegedly connected to the case.
The investigation began following a complaint by Nagpur-based M/s SK Sales Corporation, which accused the officer and his alleged associates of collecting money through fraudulent government tender offers. An FIR was subsequently registered at Capital Complex Police Station in West Tripura.
According to the complainant, around Rs 14.55 crore was deposited as earnest money between September 2024 and February 2025 in response to purported government contracts in the mid-day meal and power sectors. The tenders, however, were allegedly never issued.
ED officials also searched premises in Dharmanagar subdivision of North Tripura, where suspected hawala operators were allegedly presented as officials responsible for processing payments related to the fake tenders.
The searches yielded documents detailing suspected hawala transactions, high-value property holdings and corporate records. Investigators also seized digital devices and other material that could help trace the movement of funds and establish the roles of those involved.
The ED alleged that the accused had collectively defrauded multiple victims of more than Rs 44 crore.
The agency is continuing to examine the financial trail, suspected proceeds of crime and properties linked to the alleged racket.
