A fresh alleged tender fraud case has reportedly been registered at Narendrapur Police Station in West Bengal against suspended IAS officer Abhishek Chandra, his brother Abinab Chandra and businessman Utpal Chaudhary.
The complaint was filed by businessman Shyamal Bepari, who alleges that he suffered substantial financial losses after being persuaded to invest in proposed government tender and supply arrangements. According to his account, the opportunities were presented as legitimate contracts expected to generate significant returns.
The allegations reportedly involve government procurement work, earnest money deposits (EMDs), supply-related documents and assurances about recovering investments. However, the claims have not been established in court, and the available report does not confirm any fresh arrests or chargesheet in the case.
What Are the Allegations Against Abhishek Chandra?
According to Bepari’s complaint, he was introduced to business opportunities allegedly linked to government departments and procurement activities in Tripura.
The complainant claimed that assurances about official connections and the availability of government contracts encouraged him to participate in the proposed arrangements. These reportedly included the supply of essential commodities and contracts associated with the Mid-Day Meal programme.
Bepari alleged that Abinab Chandra facilitated business introductions and discussions about the proposed tenders. He also described dealings with Utpal Chaudhary and others who allegedly presented themselves as connected with government-related work.
The precise role of each individual, the authenticity of the documents and the nature of the proposed transactions remain matters for investigation.
How Was the Businessman Allegedly Persuaded to Invest?
The complaint alleges that Bepari was assured the proposed contracts were genuine and would produce substantial financial returns.
The arrangements reportedly involved earnest money deposits, work orders and supply-related documents that allegedly gave the impression that the transactions had a legitimate government connection. Bepari claimed that he invested money based on these assurances.
According to his account, the expected returns did not materialise, and repeated attempts to recover the investment were unsuccessful. He said the resulting financial difficulties prompted him to approach the police.
The available report does not establish the exact amount Bepari allegedly invested or the total loss claimed in the complaint.
What Was the Alleged ₹79 Lakh Tender Arrangement?
One of the key allegations concerns proposed tender and supply arrangements reportedly associated with Tripura’s Directorate of Higher Education.
According to the complaint, documents were allegedly presented in a way that created the impression that government tenders had been issued and the proposed contracts were genuine. The arrangements reportedly included a tender valued at approximately ₹79 lakh, alongside discussions about deposits, supply orders and anticipated profits.
It is important to distinguish the tender’s stated value from the alleged financial loss. The ₹79 lakh figure refers to the reported value of a proposed tender; the supplied information does not establish that Bepari lost this entire amount.
Investigators will need to examine the documents, determine whether the tender arrangements were genuine and establish how any money changed hands.
What Is the Status of the Investigation?
The complaint has reportedly been registered at Narendrapur Police Station in West Bengal. Bepari has sought an investigation into the transactions and the recovery of his money.
The case adds to allegations concerning purported government procurement arrangements linked to Tripura. However, the available report does not confirm any fresh arrests, a chargesheet or judicial findings in connection with this complaint.
The investigation will need to establish the authenticity of the tender documents, the financial transactions involved and the individual roles of those named in the complaint. Such cases may require detailed examination of payment records, contractual documents and the movement of funds. Financial investigation services can help businesses examine suspected financial irregularities and assess transaction records.
Until the allegations are investigated and tested through the legal process, they should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing by any individual named in the complaint.