ED Raids Sudip Paul’s Uptakhali Residence in Multi-Crore Mid-Day Meal Tender Fraud Case Involving IAS Officer Abhishek Chandra
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, November 5, 2026
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly conducted a raid at the residence of Dharmanagar-based contractor Sudip Paul in Uptakhali, under Panisagar block in North Tripura, intensifying the investigation into an alleged multi-crore fraud involving fictitious government tenders for the supply of rice and edible oil under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Tripura.
The raid comes amid serious allegations against Paul and 2003-batch Tripura-cadre IAS officer Abhishek Chandra, who have been named among the alleged conspirators in a detailed investigation memorandum prepared by the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF).
According to the STF report, Paul allegedly played a significant role in bringing investors into the purported tender scheme, facilitating financial transactions and assuring business associates that the contracts were genuine. Investigators further allege that Paul introduced investors to Chandra, who allegedly circulated documents representing the purported tenders as legitimate government business.
The allegations are based on witness statements, bank records, seized documents and digital communications examined during the investigation. They remain subject to further investigation and judicial scrutiny.
According to the STF memorandum, Paul approached Dharmanagar-based traders Dipak Dey and Subhrajit Deb in June and July 2024, offering them an opportunity to invest in contracts supposedly issued by the Directorate of Higher Education, Tripura, for supplying rice and edible oil under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The traders were allegedly assured that the tenders were genuine and that their security deposits would be returned. The memorandum states that Dipak Dey prepared a demand draft of Rs 97,02,863 in connection with the proposed business.
Investigators further allege that Paul introduced representatives of SK Sales Corporation to the purported tender scheme and helped convince them that the business opportunity was legitimate. A joint-bidding agreement dated September 4, 2024, reportedly formalised an arrangement between SK Sales Corporation and Paul and his wife, Krishna Chakraborty, for participation in the purported tender process.
One of the significant financial transactions cited in the STF report involves Rs 85 lakh transferred by SK Sales Corporation into a joint-venture bank account associated with Paul and his wife. Investigators allege that Rs 1.07 crore was subsequently transferred from the joint-venture account to Mohan Enterprise, a business allegedly controlled by another accused.
The memorandum also records that Rs 1.536 crore was later credited to the joint-venture account from a bank account operating in the name of the purported Directorate of Higher Education, Tripura.
According to the report, SK Sales Corporation transferred Rs 12,61,37,219 to the account operating in the name of the purported Directorate of Higher Education, apart from the Rs 85 lakh transferred to Paul’s joint-venture account. The company reportedly received Rs 1,94,05,726 as a refund of earnest money, while another Rs 1.45 crore was returned by Paul and his wife. However, substantial amounts allegedly remained outstanding.
The company’s manager reportedly told investigators that approximately Rs 14.50 crore had been transferred in connection with the purported contracts, but only around Rs 1.95 crore had been received back. Investigators allege that no corresponding supply of Mid-Day Meal materials took place as represented to investors.
The STF memorandum alleges that Paul introduced investors to IAS officer Abhishek Chandra, who allegedly circulated documents representing the purported tenders as genuine government business. The report cites WhatsApp communications in which Chandra allegedly shared tender notices, newspaper clippings, expressions of interest and purported supply orders.
Investigators are also examining allegations that funds connected with the scheme reached Chandra through multiple bank accounts and business entities. According to the memorandum, Chandra allegedly received Rs 4.50 lakh directly from the purported Tripura branch of Chaltakhali Swamiji Seva Sangha, Rs 7.45 lakh from another account allegedly operated by an accused, and Rs 26.70 lakh from entities identified as Oreva Trading and Vedika Rubber. The report also refers to a Rs 2 lakh cash deposit into Chandra’s account by a manager associated with the alleged scheme.
The STF investigation memorandum reportedly also records allegations involving Paul and a contract connected with the G20 Science 20 conference held in Agartala from April 3 to 4, 2023. According to a statement recorded by the STF, Paul allegedly claimed that a G20-related contract worth Rs 6 crore had been arranged through Tripura Small Industries without an open tender. He allegedly stated that he had agreed to share 50 per cent of the profits with IAS officer Abhishek Chandra.
The statement reportedly indicates that the contract generated a profit of Rs 1.80 crore, of which Rs 90 lakh was allegedly paid to Chandra through a financial arrangement involving a rental agreement between Paul’s wife and Chandra’s mother.
The original case was registered at Penro Police Station on January 13, 2025, following a complaint concerning alleged forgery and financial irregularities. A charge sheet was filed on June 5, 2025, against two accused, while further investigation allegedly uncovered a wider network involving fabricated government tenders and investor deposits.
The West Bengal STF has recommended a supplementary charge sheet against Paul and Abhishek Chandra under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The reported ED raid at Paul’s Uptakhali residence marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged misuse of government department names, fabricated public welfare contracts and the diversion of substantial investor funds. The investigation is continuing.
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