The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive searches on Thursday at the residences of Tarini Das, the chief engineer of Bihar’s Building Construction Department, in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to a tender scam.
Raids took place at multiple locations associated with Das, including his home in Purnendu Nagar near Phulwarisharif. The operation, which began early morning, was still underway at the time of reporting.
Sources confirmed that crores of rupees were recovered from Das’s residence, prompting officials to bring four cash counting machines to the Chief Minister’s residence for verification of the seized funds.
Tarini Das, who retired in October last year, was reinstated under unclear circumstances. He is alleged to have facilitated contractor tenders in return for hefty payments.
These fresh searches are part of the ED’s ongoing probe into a money laundering case involving IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, who was arrested last year and is currently lodged at Beur Central Jail in Patna. Hans faces charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Former RJD MLA Gulab Yadav was also arrested in connection with the case from a resort in New Delhi. The Patna Police seized significant wealth linked to Yadav, which was later handed over to the Special Vigilance Unit.
The ED’s action triggered a political controversy. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav criticized the NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing officials of looting public money and questioning the CM’s mental stability.
“There is no control over officials in Nitish Kumar’s government. Money is exchanged for transfers and postings. Everyone knows how government offices operate in Bihar these days. Such illegal practices will end when RJD takes power,” said Tejashwi Yadav.
Defending the government, BJP MLA and State Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Sanjay Saraogi affirmed the crackdown shows a commitment to good governance. “Those involved in corruption will not be spared, regardless of who they are,” he stated.
Saraogi added, “No one is being framed or spared. The government maintains zero tolerance for corruption.”
