The Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its investigation into an alleged corruption nexus in Bihar, seizing Rs 11.64 crore in cash during a fresh round of raids in Patna. The crackdown, part of a widening money laundering probe linked to IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, targeted top bureaucrats suspected of accepting bribes in exchange for favorable decisions on government contracts and bill clearances.
The raids, conducted on Thursday, spanned seven locations across the state capital. According to an official ED statement, searches were carried out at the premises of high-ranking government officials, including Tarini Das, Chief Engineer of the Bihar Construction Department (BCD); Mumukshu Chaudhary, Joint Secretary in Bihar’s Finance Department; and Umesh Kumar Singh, Executive Engineer in the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD).
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Additional raids targeted Ayaz Ahmed, Deputy Project Director of Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (BUIDCO); Sagar Jaiswal, Deputy General Manager (Projects) of Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. (BMSICL); Vikash Jha, Deputy General Manager of BMSICL; and Saket Kumar, Executive Engineer in the Bihar Construction Department (BCD).
Authorities allege that these officials were among the primary recipients of bribe money, facilitating favorable outcomes for contractors in state tenders and bill clearances. A key beneficiary of this illicit arrangement was reportedly Patna-based contractor Rishu Shree. The ED’s investigation has uncovered a vast network of financial misappropriation, with money funneled through various channels to mask the illicit gains.
Among the items seized in the raids were property documents, records detailing the distribution of bribe money, incriminating digital evidence, and substantial cash reserves. However, the agency has not specified the exact breakdown of assets recovered from each individual’s premises.
The case against Sanjeev Hans, a 1997-batch IAS officer who last served as Principal Secretary of Bihar’s Energy Department, originates from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Bihar’s Special Vigilance Unit. The ED alleges that Hans systematically exploited his high-ranking positions—both within Bihar’s administration and during his central deputations from 2018 to 2023—to accumulate unaccounted wealth.
The Legal Landscape: Laws Governing Corruption and Money Laundering in India
This case falls under multiple legal frameworks designed to combat financial crime and corruption:
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 – This law empowers agencies like the ED to seize proceeds of crime and prosecute those engaged in financial misconduct.
- Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 – Sections related to criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery apply, given the alleged manipulation of government contracts.
- Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – Used to prosecute public servants accused of accepting bribes and abusing their authority.
- Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 – This could be invoked if properties are found to be held in proxy names to conceal illicit wealth.
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The Broader Implications and Future Outlook
This case highlights deep-rooted corruption in India’s bureaucratic system and raises critical questions about oversight mechanisms in public sector projects. The fallout is expected to lead to stricter financial monitoring, policy reforms in government tenders, and increased scrutiny on public officials managing large budgets.
Legal experts predict that the case could set a precedent for harsher penalties in similar financial misconduct cases. As investigations continue, more arrests and asset seizures are anticipated, reinforcing the government’s resolve to combat corruption at the highest levels.