Lagatar24 Desk
Patna: The Bihar tender scam involving Rishu Ranjan Sinha alias Rishu Shri has widened significantly, with two IAS officers already suspended, action taken against one more, and media reports suggesting that around 15 officials are now in the crosshairs with action against them considered imminent.
Officers Called ‘Bhaiya’ by Rishu Shri
According to sources, the officials now under scrutiny are those who allegedly worked at Rishu Shri’s behest and in whose interest he operated — a mutually beneficial arrangement that reportedly generated hefty earnings for both sides. Rishu Shri reportedly addressed these officers as “Bhaiya”, indicating the close and informal nature of their nexus.
Scam Flourished During So-Called Good Governance Era
Rishu Shri had secured contracts in Bihar’s Water Resources Department and several other departments, through which he cultivated ties with officers and engineers. The scam allegedly ran from 2016 to 2025, spanning the tenure of the government that claimed a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. It remained buried as long as the previous political dispensation was in power, but came to light after a change in government.
ED Expands Probe to 15 Companies
The Enforcement Directorate has expanded its investigation to cover 15 companies linked to Rishu Shri. The ED has written to the concerned departments seeking complete details about these companies. Rishu Shri’s firms had executed contracts for sewage treatment plants, water supply schemes, and urban beautification projects under the Water Resources and Urban Development and Housing departments.
ED Probing Tender Allotment Violations
The ED is currently examining whether proper rules and procedures were followed in the allotment of tenders and at which levels irregularities took place. The scale of the alleged fraud runs into thousands of crores of rupees.
