Photo Courtesy: nenow
Agartala: Federal investigators swarmed 13 locations across Tripura, West Bengal, and Maharashtra on November 4. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) targets an alleged Rs 14.55-crore government tender scam. Agents acted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. They searched the home of suspended IAS officer Abhishek Chandra.
The trouble began with a complaint from Nagpur-based M/s SK Sales Corporation. They claimed they were tricked into paying massive deposits between September 2024 and February 2025. These Earnest Money Deposits were for mid-day meal and power sector tenders. The government never issued these contracts.
Chandra allegedly posed as an official overseeing the bidding process. He introduced the victims to Utpal Kumar Chowdhury. The firm deposited payments to the Directorate of Higher Education. That entity was a sham. It was actually a private business owned by Chowdhury. The ED noted, "The entity was actually a proprietary concern belonging to Chowdhury and had no connection with the genuine government department, despite its similar name."
Investigators claim the group used forged work orders to secure funds. A joint venture involving Krishna Chakraborty and her husband, Sudip Paul, helped move the money. The scammers paid back small amounts to hook their victims. Then they laundered the remaining loot through shell companies. Some cash moved in less than 24 hours.
The trail led to domestic staff members who fronted these shell entities. The stolen money bought luxury goods and foreign trips. Some funds purchased flats and property in Mumbai, specifically in Shivaji Park. A Kolkata-based hawala operator helped shuffle the rest.
The ED seized digital devices, hawala records, and property documents during the raids. This isn't the first time the agency has tracked this group. They are already probing a separate Rs 44-crore fraud under case number ECIR/AGSZO/03/2025. That investigation stems from five other FIRs in West Bengal and Tripura. The agency previously issued two provisional attachment orders in 2026. The investigation continues.
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