ED raids 13 locations in ₹44 crore fake tender scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has undertaken major action in a case involving fraud of crores of rupees under the pretext of securing government tenders in Tripura. According to a report by Aaj Tak, a team from the ED's Agartala sub-zonal office conducted search and seizure operations at 13 different locations across three states—Tripura, West Bengal, and Maharashtra—on Wednesday. Serious allegations have been leveled against a suspended IAS officer of the Tripura cadre and his alleged associates in this entire scam.

According to the investigating agency, the accused cheated several people of crores of rupees by luring them with the promise of securing fake government tenders. It is stated that the total amount defrauded in this scam exceeds ₹44 crore. The ED issued an official statement on Thursday, stating that this action was carried out as part of a money laundering investigation. The case is based on an FIR registered at the Capital Complex Police Station in West Tripura district. This FIR was lodged based on a complaint filed by a Nagpur-based company, 'M/s S.K. Sales Corporation'.

The complainant company, S.K. Sales Corporation, alleged that they were deceived and induced to deposit money in the name of securing government tenders. According to the complaint, approximately ₹14.55 crore was collected from the company as Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) between September 2024 and February 2025. This amount was allegedly taken under the guise of securing government tenders related to mid-day meals and the electricity sector. However, the investigating agency revealed that the tenders for which the money was deposited were actually never issued. Following this shocking revelation, the ED initiated an investigation from the angle of money laundering.

During the raids conducted on Wednesday, the ED team also searched the residence of the suspended IAS officer. Additionally, locations linked to alleged hawala operators in the Dharmanagar sub-division of North Tripura were searched. According to the agency, these hawala operators were allegedly presented as official persons responsible for completing the payment process. The investigation is now attempting to ascertain which individuals ultimately received this large sum collected in the name of fake tenders. Simultaneously, the role of hawala operators and other associates in this entire network is being scrutinized minutely.

During the raids, the ED also searched the offices of several companies and organizations allegedly involved in financial transactions. The agency has recovered a large number of documents related to hawala transactions. Furthermore, details of several expensive properties and records linked to suspicious control over certain corporate entities have been seized. The agency is now gathering information regarding the use and investment of the defrauded amount through these documents.

The investigating agency also seized digital devices and records linked to the accused during the raids. According to the ED, these electronic evidences are extremely important for the ongoing investigation. Analysis of these devices and records may help identify financial transactions, contacts between the accused, and other individuals linked to the fake tender network. The investigating agency will now conduct a detailed examination of all seized documents and digital evidence. According to the ED, it is alleged that a total of over ₹44 crore was defrauded from various victims.