The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search and seizure operations at 13 premises across Tripura, West Bengal and Maharashtra on November 4, 2026, in connection with an alleged fake government tender racket involving approximately ₹14.55 crore.
The investigation centres on a fictitious entity operating under the name ‘Directorate of Higher Education’, which was allegedly used to collect money from a Nagpur-based company through forged government tender notices and work orders.
The searches were carried out by the ED's Agartala Sub-Zonal Office under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The case originated from an FIR registered at Capital Complex Police Station in West Tripura following a complaint by M/s SK Sales Corporation, Nagpur.
₹14.55 Crore Allegedly Collected Through Fake Government Tenders
According to the FIR, the complainant was allegedly persuaded to pay Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) totalling around ₹14.55 crore between September 2024 and February 2025.
The payments were reportedly made against purported government tenders connected with the mid-day meal and power sectors in Tripura. However, the complaint alleges that these tenders had never actually been issued by the government.
The case names Abhishek Chandra, a suspended IAS officer of the Tripura cadre, along with other alleged participants. According to the ED's investigation, Chandra allegedly presented himself as an official with influence over government tender processes and introduced the complainant to Utpal Kumar Chowdhury, who was represented as the person responsible for processing payments.
The EMDs were deposited through demand drafts in favour of an entity called ‘Directorate of Higher Education’. Investigators allege that this was not the genuine government department but a proprietary concern owned by Chowdhury. Its similar name was allegedly used to create the impression that the transactions were connected with an official government institution.
Forged tender notices and work orders reportedly supported the representations made to the complainant.
Joint Venture and Partial Refunds Allegedly Used to Build Confidence
The investigation also points to the alleged involvement of a joint venture associated with Smt. Krishna Chakraborty, represented by her husband, Sudip Paul.
According to the ED's findings cited in the report, this arrangement was allegedly used to structure the collection of funds. Partial refunds were reportedly made at important stages to maintain the complainant's confidence and encourage additional payments.
Investigators are examining the role of the individuals and entities involved in the alleged transactions, including how the money was collected and subsequently transferred.
Funds Allegedly Routed Through Shell Companies and Hawala Network
The ED's investigation reportedly found that money deposited into accounts associated with the fictitious entity was transferred through several other companies and entities within short periods. Some transfers allegedly took place within 24 hours.
Several of the entities were reportedly registered in the names of Chowdhury's domestic staff and associates. Investigators suspect that these arrangements were used to move and conceal the alleged proceeds of crime.
The agency is also examining the suspected use of the funds to acquire immovable properties, including flats in a housing project and a residential property in Mumbai's Shivaji Park area. According to the report, some properties were held in the names of family members of Abhishek Chandra.
The investigation has also identified suspected expenditure on foreign travel and luxury goods. Additionally, the ED suspects that part of the money was routed through a Kolkata-based alleged hawala operator.
These financial transactions and property holdings are now part of the agency's investigation into the alleged movement and concealment of proceeds of crime.
Separate Investigation Involves Alleged Fraud Exceeding ₹44 Crore
The ED is also investigating Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and other individuals in a separate case registered under ECIR/AGSZO/03/2025.
That investigation reportedly follows five FIRs registered in West Bengal and Tripura involving the same fictitious entity and a similar alleged method of operation. The aggregate amount involved in those cases is reported to exceed ₹44 crore, with multiple victims allegedly affected.
In connection with the separate investigation, the agency has issued two Provisional Attachment Orders:
Order No. 01/2026 dated January 22, 2026.
Order No. 05/2026 dated July 31, 2026.
These attachment orders form part of the agency's action in the separate investigation and should not be confused with the latest ₹14.55 crore case.
ED Seizes Documents, Property Records and Digital Devices
During the November 4 searches, ED officials covered the residential premises of Abhishek Chandra, locations associated with alleged hawala operators and offices of companies suspected of having links to the transactions.
According to the agency, officials recovered and seized substantial documentary material, including records relating to suspected hawala transactions, high-value property details and information concerning the control of various corporate entities.
Digital devices and electronic records belonging to several accused persons were also seized for examination.
The ED has taken up the matter under the PMLA following alleged offences involving criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, cheating by personation and forgery under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
For businesses and financial institutions, cases involving disputed tender documents and complex fund transfers highlight the importance of verifying counterparties, reviewing transaction records and maintaining reliable audit trails. Shunyatax's financial investigation services may be relevant when examining suspected financial irregularities and tracing disputed transactions.
Further Investigation Underway
The ED's latest searches represent another stage in the investigation into the alleged fake tender network. Investigators will continue examining the seized documents, digital evidence, banking transactions and property records to establish how the funds were collected and moved.
The allegations against the named individuals remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings. The searches and seizure of material do not, by themselves, establish guilt. Further findings will depend on the evidence gathered and the outcome of the relevant proceedings.