Bihar Tender Scam: ED Questions IAS Dharmendra Kumar for Six Hours, Summons Five More Officers Over Alleged Financial Links
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened its investigation into an alleged government tender scam in Bihar, questioning senior IAS officers and examining suspected financial transactions involving contractor Rishu Shree and officials associated with the state’s administrative machinery.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Dharmendra Kumar, a 2013-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, was questioned at the ED’s Patna office on Wednesday for nearly six hours. According to reports, investigators sought information about his association with Shree, the circumstances in which they came into contact and allegations concerning the financing of foreign travel.
The agency has also summoned five other IAS officers, including Anand Kishore, Santosh Kumar Mall, Yogesh Kumar Sagar, Abhilasha Kumari Sharma and Sunil Kumar Yadav, as it examines possible irregularities in government contracts and alleged financial benefits provided in exchange for official favours.
The investigation has attracted considerable attention within Bihar’s administrative establishment, particularly following observations made by the Patna High Court regarding the need to examine whether other individuals may have benefited from the alleged arrangement. However, the allegations remain under investigation. The questioning or summoning of an officer does not, by itself, establish involvement in criminal wrongdoing.
ED Investigates Alleged Tender Manipulation and Contractor-Official Links
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating allegations that contractor Rishu Shree cultivated relationships with government officials to gain access to confidential information concerning public tenders.
According to reports, investigators suspect that such contacts may have been used to obtain advance information about tender conditions or influence procurement requirements in ways that could benefit particular contractors.
The agency is examining whether government contracts were awarded through improperly influenced processes and whether commissions, payments or other benefits were allegedly provided to officials in return.
The inquiry focuses on the suspected money-laundering aspects of alleged irregularities in public procurement. Investigators are studying financial transactions, administrative decisions and the possible relationship between payments and the award of government projects. The ED has not publicly disclosed the complete details of the statements recorded from the officers, and no final determination regarding their alleged roles has been reported.
IAS Dharmendra Kumar Questioned for Nearly Six Hours
Dharmendra Kumar, a 2013-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, was questioned by ED officials at the agency’s Patna office on Wednesday. The questioning reportedly lasted nearly six hours and focused on his alleged association with contractor Rishu Shree.
Investigators are understood to have sought details about how Kumar came into contact with Shree and whether the contractor had any involvement in financing foreign travel or providing other benefits. Kumar has held senior administrative responsibilities in Bihar, including assignments associated with the state’s bridge construction corporation.
The agency is examining the available information as part of its wider inquiry into alleged financial links between contractors and officials. No final finding of wrongdoing against Kumar has been established in the information available.
Five More IAS Officers Summoned as Investigation Expands
The ED’s investigation also involves five other IAS officers who have reportedly been summoned or questioned separately.
Anand Kishore (IAS: 1996, Bihar cadre)
Senior IAS officer Anand Kishore has been summoned for questioning as part of the investigation into alleged irregularities in government tendering and administrative decisions.
Santosh Kumar Mall (IAS: 1997, Bihar cadre)
Santosh Kumar Mall has also been called by the agency to provide information considered relevant to the inquiry.
Yogesh Kumar Sagar (IAS: 2017, Bihar cadre)
The ED is reportedly examining allegations concerning foreign travel involving Yogesh Kumar Sagar and members of his family. Reports indicate that Sagar sought additional time to appear before investigators.
Abhilasha Kumari Sharma (IAS: 2014, Bihar cadre)
Abhilasha Kumari Sharma was reportedly questioned earlier in the week. Investigators are examining allegations concerning foreign travel expenses allegedly incurred for Sharma and members of her family.
Sunil Kumar Yadav (IAS: 2012, Bihar cadre)
Sunil Kumar Yadav, who serves as Special Secretary in Bihar’s Labour Resources Department, was also questioned by the ED, according to reports. The agency is examining information from the officers separately as it seeks to establish whether any financial transactions were connected with government contracts or administrative decisions.
Foreign Trips and Alleged Expenses Come Under Scrutiny
Foreign travel expenses allegedly incurred for government officials and their family members have emerged as an important aspect of the investigation. According to reports, the ED is examining a visit to Austria in June 2024 allegedly involving IAS officer Yogesh Kumar Sagar and members of his family.
Investigators are also looking into foreign travel expenditure of approximately ₹19 lakh allegedly incurred for IAS officer Abhilasha Kumari Sharma and her family.The agency is attempting to determine whether the expenses were financed by individuals associated with government contracts and, if so, whether they were connected with any official favour or administrative decision.
The existence, purpose and circumstances of the alleged transactions remain matters for investigation. At this stage, the reported expenditure should not be interpreted as proof of corruption or misconduct. Investigators must establish the relevant financial trail and any connection with official decisions before further conclusions can be drawn.
Alleged ₹25 Lakh Payment Linked to Sitamarhi Posting Under Investigation
The investigation also extends to an alleged payment of ₹25 lakh reportedly associated with the appointment of Mumukshu Chaudhary to the additional charge of Sitamarhi Municipal Commissioner.
According to reports, the ED is examining whether the payment was made to influence the posting and whether it formed part of the wider network of suspected financial transactions.
Investigators are seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged payment, the individuals involved and any possible connection with administrative decisions.
The allegation has not been established through a final finding, and the available information does not confirm that the posting was secured through an improper payment.
The inquiry into this alleged transaction adds another dimension to the broader investigation, which is examining suspected links among contractors, government officials and administrative processes.
Assets Worth ₹265.73 Crore Also Under Examination
The ED’s investigation reportedly involves assets valued at approximately ₹265.73 crore.Investigators are examining the financial trail associated with these assets and whether there are connections among the suspected transactions, foreign travel expenses, government postings and public contracts.
The available reports do not establish that the entire value represents proceeds of crime or identify the ownership and legal status of every asset under examination.The agency’s task includes determining the source and movement of funds and assessing whether the evidence supports allegations of money laundering.The financial investigation is continuing, and the reported figures remain subject to the findings of the agency and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
Patna High Court Raises Questions About Wider Beneficiaries
The investigation gained further attention following observations made by the Patna High Court on October 15, 2026, during a hearing concerning contractor Rishu Shree’s bail plea. According to reports, the court questioned what action had been taken against senior officials allegedly associated with the case.
The court also raised the possibility that Shree might be a relatively minor participant in a larger alleged arrangement and asked whether individuals who may have benefited more substantially were being investigated.
These observations brought renewed attention to the scope of the investigation and whether the inquiry was examining all potential beneficiaries of the suspected tender-related transactions.
The ED’s subsequent questioning of IAS officers and issuance of summons form part of its continuing investigation. However, the court’s reported observations do not constitute a finding of guilt against any of the officers named in the case.
What Is the ED Trying to Establish?
The Enforcement Directorate’s investigation is examining several interconnected issues relating to the alleged tender scam. One area concerns whether confidential tender information was improperly shared with contractors or whether procurement conditions were influenced to favour particular bidders.
Another involves alleged financial transactions, including possible payments, commissions and benefits provided to officials. Investigators are also examining whether foreign travel expenses were connected to administrative favours and whether suspected payments influenced government postings or contract awards.
The agency will need to establish whether the alleged transactions occurred, identify the relevant financial trail and determine whether the available evidence supports further legal proceedings.The statements of officers, financial records and documentation concerning government contracts are expected to remain important to the inquiry.
Bihar Tender Scam Investigation Continues
The widening investigation has brought several senior Bihar IAS officers under scrutiny as the ED examines alleged connections between contractor Rishu Shree, public procurement decisions and suspected financial transactions.
The questioning of Dharmendra Kumar, summons issued to other officers, allegations concerning foreign travel and the examination of a reported ₹25 lakh payment have expanded the scope of the inquiry.The Patna High Court’s observations have also drawn attention to whether the investigation is examining the possibility of wider involvement beyond the contractor.
Nevertheless, the allegations remain unproven, and the available information does not establish criminal liability on the part of the officers named. Further developments will depend on the evidence collected, the findings of investigators and any subsequent legal proceedings.
