Patna, May 28 (IANS) In a major crackdown linked to alleged irregularities in government tenders and money laundering, the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) has arrested a prominent Bihar-based contractor, Rishu Shree, after conducting an extensive raid at his residence in Patna.
According to sources, the search operation continued for nearly 15 hours and led to the recovery of assets and documents worth crores of rupees. The raid began on Wednesday.
During the raid, the SVU reportedly recovered diamond, gold, and silver jewellery worth nearly Rs 2 crore, cash amounting to approximately Rs 2.5 lakh, silver utensils, around 61 land deeds, multiple electronic devices, and several important documents related to financial transactions and property holdings.
An SVU official stated that the seized documents are currently being scrutinised and could reveal further details regarding the alleged scam network.
Investigators allege that the contractor manipulated government tender processes across multiple departments over a prolonged period.
According to SVU sources, government contracts were allegedly secured through favouritism and collusion.
Senior officials allegedly influenced tender allotments, and certain officials and their family members were allegedly sponsored for foreign trips in exchange for facilitating contracts.
The probe has now expanded to examine the role of departmental officials and officers who were allegedly connected to the contractor’s operations.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is simultaneously investigating the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The ED has already registered a money laundering case against the accused contractor.
Sources indicated that, if the allegations and recovered evidence are substantiated during interrogation, further action may be initiated against multiple government officials and employees in the coming days.
The accused contractor approached the Patna High Court on Thursday through a criminal writ petition seeking relief in the matter.
However, the High Court reportedly refused to interfere with the ongoing investigation, strengthening the position of the investigative agencies.
Following the court’s decision, investigative agencies have intensified their operations and scrutiny of the broader tender allocation process across departments.
–IANS
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