Bihar’s tender corruption probe has widened after two IAS officers, Abhilasha Kumari Sharma and Yogesh Kumar Sagar, were suspended with immediate effect over allegations linked to contractor Rishu Shree. The action followed a report from the Enforcement Directorate that was received by the Special Vigilance Unit, which has alleged bribery, commissions and improper benefits in connection with government contracts.
The case has intensified after the arrest of contractor Rishu Shree in a year-old matter. The Special Vigilance Unit had registered the case primarily on the basis of an ED investigation report and is expected to seek the agency’s assistance in further investigation. Several IAS officers, Bihar Administrative Service officers and senior engineers are also under scrutiny.
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Two IAS Officers Suspended
Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, a 2014-batch IAS officer, was serving as Additional Chief Executive Officer and MNREGA Commissioner of Jeevika. Yogesh Kumar Sagar, a 2017-batch IAS officer, had served as Additional Director and Disability Director in the Social Welfare Department.
Investigators have linked both officers to contractor Rishu Shree, who is accused of amassing vast wealth. The probe has also brought under the scanner officials who were posted in the Building Construction Department, Urban Development and Housing Department, BUDCO, BMSICL, Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation and other departments.
According to the report, more than a dozen IAS officers, Bihar Administrative Service officers and senior engineers are currently being investigated. Three IAS officers, including Sanjeev Hans, have already been prosecuted in the case.
Europe Trip and Gifts Under Lens
Citing the ED investigation report, the Special Vigilance Unit stated that Rishu Shree allegedly arranged a Europe trip for Yogesh Kumar Sagar and eight of his relatives. The trip reportedly took place from June 22, 2024, to June 30, 2024, during which Yogesh and his family members visited Vienna, Salzburg and Wolfgang in Austria.
The airfare and hotel accommodation for the foreign trip allegedly cost around ₹21.92 lakh and were managed by Rishu Shree. Yogesh was posted at BUDCO at the time. The report also states that he is a native of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and holds an MBBS degree from King George’s Medical University in Lucknow.
Abhilasha Sharma is accused of getting rooftop gardening and beautification work done at her house at Rishu Shree’s expense. The reported cost of the work was around ₹9 lakh. She is also accused of receiving expensive gifts, including an iPhone, from Rishu Shree and taking family members on trips. The report states that Abhilasha is a resident of Nawada district in Bihar and has held several important positions, including District Magistrate of Sitamarhi and Joint Secretary in the Finance Department.
Wider Contract Corruption Probe
Investigative agencies have reportedly identified several influential individuals linked to corruption in government contracts. Based on the ED report, the Special Vigilance Unit has taken action against IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, Chief Engineer Tarini Das, Joint Secretary-level officer Mumukshu Choudhary and BMSICL DGM Projects Pankaj Kumar.
Sanjeev Hans is accused of benefiting Rishu Shree’s company by taking commissions while serving as Secretary of Water Resources, Energy and other departments. The ED, SVU and CBI have filed three separate FIRs against him for money laundering and corruption. After being released from jail, he is currently posted as Additional Secretary in the Revenue Board and is free from suspension.
Mumukshu Choudhary, a Joint Secretary-level officer of the Bihar Administrative Service, was raided by the ED on March 27, 2025. Around ₹2 crore in cash was reportedly recovered from his residence. He is accused of awarding contracts to Rishu’s companies after taking commissions while serving as Municipal Commissioner in Sitamarhi and Saharsa. He is currently posted as Joint Secretary in the Finance Department, and the SVU has registered a case against him.
Tarini Das, then Chief Engineer of the Building Construction Department, also came under scrutiny after an ED raid on March 27, 2025, reportedly recovered ₹8.50 crore in cash from her residence. She was subsequently dismissed. She had retired as Chief Engineer North of the Building Construction Department on October 31, 2024, but was re-employed on a two-year contract in the same position on November 9, 2024.
Umesh Kumar Singh, an Executive Engineer in the Urban Development and Housing Department, also faces allegations based on an ED report. The SVU filed an FIR against him on April 9, 2026, alleging disproportionate assets and abuse of official position. It is alleged that he received bribes from the Rishu Shree company, M/s Reliable and other contractors in exchange for bill payments. ₹1 crore in cash was seized from his residence.
Pankaj Kumar, DGM Projects at BMSICL, is also under scrutiny. On March 12, 2026, the SVU raided three of his locations and recovered jewellery worth ₹1.31 crore along with ₹32 lakh in cash. The raid is also being linked to the Rishu Shree connection. The scope of the investigation is expected to expand further after the ongoing inquiries.
