Agartala: An FIR has been registered against senior IAS officer Abhishek Chandra and three others over allegations of cheating a Nagpur-based businessman of more than Rs 14.55 crore through purportedly fake government tenders in Tripura.
Chandra is a 2003 batch IAS officer who had been put in compulsory waiting for the last couple of years. He had earlier served in several important positions such as special secretary Industries and Commerce Department and CEO of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
The case, registered at the New Capital Complex Police Station, also names Sudip Paul, Krishna Chakraborty and Utpal Chaudhary. The complaint invokes charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery.
According to the FIR, the complainant, representing Nagpur-based SK Sales Corporation, alleged that he was introduced to Chandra in early 2024 through a common acquaintance. Chandra allegedly claimed he could facilitate government contracts in Tripura, including tenders related to the supply of mid-day meals and other services.
The complainant stated that his firm subsequently entered into a joint venture with one of the accused to participate in the proposed contracts. Acting on the alleged assurances, the firm deposited earnest money deposits through multiple demand drafts in favour of the Directorate of Higher Education.
The complaint further alleged that a work order worth Rs 2.56 crore was shown to the firm to secure additional payments. Between September 2024 and February 2025, the complainant claimed that a total of Rs 14.55 crore was transferred to the accused.
The FIR also alleged that company representatives visited Tripura several times, where they met individuals introduced as government officials and banking representatives. The complainant claimed that WhatsApp communications and certain RTGS transactions, including one presented as a refund of an earlier earnest money deposit, were used to gain the firm’s confidence.
According to the complaint, repeated promises of refunds and business returns were never fulfilled. Subsequent verification allegedly revealed that the Directorate of Higher Education had not issued the tenders or work orders shown to the firm and that the documents were forged.
Reacting to the development, Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury alleged that the case reflected deeper governance issues in the state. He claimed corruption had become widespread across departments and questioned whether those named in the FIR would face legal consequences.
The CPI(M) leader also linked the alleged fraud to recent high-value narcotics seizures in the state, alleging that the authorities had failed to apprehend the masterminds behind organised criminal networks.The copy is substantially rewritten, legally cautious, and suitable for publication while clearly attributing all allegations to the FIR and the complainant.