The directorate of enforcement (ED) has uncovered an alleged network of shell entities designed to resemble government departments and public sector undertakings (PSUs), with bank balances totalling about ₹1.12 crore in a money laundering investigation linked to suspended Tripura cadre IAS officer Abhishek Chandra, one Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and their associates.
The provisional attachment,
issued by ED's Agartala sub-zonal office on 31 July 2026 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), covers bank balances held in the names of shell entities allegedly controlled by Mr Chowdhury, Mr Chandra and a private housing company. The agency said the attached funds represent proceeds of crime traced during the investigation.
The case stems from multiple first information reports (FIRs) registered by police in Tripura and West Bengal alleging cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and impersonation under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
According to ED, its investigation revealed that Mr Chowdhury projected himself as a senior officer of the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) and allegedly obtained fake identity cards to support the claim.
The agency alleged that Mr Chowdhury then incorporated entities with names deceptively similar to those of government departments and PSUs to create an appearance of official legitimacy.
Among the entities cited by ED are 'Directorate of Higher Education, Tripura' and 'Bridge & Roof Co'. The agency believes the names were deliberately chosen to resemble genuine government organisations and PSUs, enabling the accused to gain the confidence of businessmen and investors.
Investigators also alleged that Mr Chowdhury fraudulently took control of a registered trust, Chaltakhali Swamiji Seva Sangha, which was allegedly used as part of the wider scheme.
ED alleged that the network of shell entities and the trust were used to attract businessmen and investors by promising access to government tenders, mid-day meal supply contracts and lucrative returns from the rubber business.
Believing the representations to be genuine, victims allegedly transferred funds running into crores of rupees into bank accounts operated by the entities.
The agency said the use of names closely resembling government organisations, coupled with fake official identities, enabled the accused to present the ventures as authentic government-backed initiatives.
According to ED, the proceeds of crime were subsequently routed through a web of shell companies controlled by Mr Chowdhury and his associates before being substantially withdrawn in cash for distribution.
Investigators further alleged that part of the funds was layered through downstream entities and invested in immovable properties, vehicles and other assets held in the names of the accused and their family members in an attempt to conceal the origin of the money.
ED said its investigation also found that Abhishek Chandra, the suspended IAS officer from the Tripura cadre, allegedly received proceeds of crime generated by Mr Chowdhury and his associates.
According to the agency, the funds were transferred directly into Mr Chandra's personal bank accounts and indirectly through payments made by the alleged scheme entities to a private housing company towards the booking of a residential flat in his name.
Mr Chandra, a Tripura-cadre IAS officer currently under suspension, has been named in ED's money-laundering investigation along with Mr Chowdhury and other associates. The allegations are under investigation and have not been tested in court.
ED said its probe was initiated on the basis of multiple FIRs registered in Tripura and West Bengal against Mr Chowdhury and his associates.
Media reports have also linked the accused to an earlier complaint alleging the use of fabricated Tripura government tender documents to cheat a Nagpur-based company of ₹14.55 crore, although ED's present attachment relates to the money laundering investigation arising from the scheduled offences registered by the police.
The latest attachment is the second provisional attachment order issued in the case.
With the present order, the total value of assets provisionally attached in the investigation has reached about ₹1.63 crore, ED said.
Further investigation into the alleged money laundering, the movement of funds and the involvement of other individuals and entities is continuing, the agency said
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