Abhishek Chandra Scam: Tripura Govt. Continues Half-Salary During Suspension, Questions Over Administrative Inaction
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, November 9, 2026
Despite a series of criminal cases, financial fraud allegations, investigations by multiple agencies and the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches across three states, the Tripura Government has yet to publicly explain what further administrative action it intends to take against suspended IAS officer Abhishek Chandra. The officer, a 2003-batch Tripura-cadre IAS officer, reportedly continues to receive a subsistence allowance equivalent to half-pay while remaining away from regular government duties.
The continued payment of public money to an officer facing multiple investigations has triggered questions over administrative accountability, the pace of departmental proceedings and the government's apparent lack of urgency in dealing with the matter. Critics are asking whether suspension alone is sufficient when several investigating agencies are examining allegations involving government tenders, financial transactions, forged documents and suspected diversion of funds.
The latest development came on November 4, when the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 13 locations across Tripura, West Bengal and Maharashtra in connection with an alleged Rs 14.55-crore fake government tender scam. The searches included premises linked to Abhishek Chandra. The agency reportedly seized financial documents, electronic devices, digital records and materials connected with suspected hawala transactions and high-value property dealings.
According to the ED investigation, a Nagpur-based company, SK Sales Corporation, was allegedly induced to deposit approximately Rs 14.55 crore between September 2024 and February 2025 against purported government tenders relating to the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and the power sector. The agency has alleged that the tenders were never actually floated by the Tripura Government and that a fictitious entity operating under the name Directorate of Higher Education was used to collect the money.
Investigators suspect that fabricated tender notices and work orders were circulated to create an impression of genuine government contracts. The ED is also examining alleged financial transactions through several entities, suspected shell companies, property purchases and possible hawala channels. These allegations remain under investigation.
The Rs 14.55-crore case is not the only matter bringing the officer under scrutiny. The West Bengal Special Task Force has also investigated an alleged financial fraud and irregularities involving Chaltakhali Swamiji Seba Sangha, an NGO based in Howrah district. The investigation relates to Penro Police Station Case No. 07/2025, registered on January 13, 2025.
The West Bengal STF subsequently submitted a prosecution-sanction proposal to the Tripura Government, alleging that evidence collected during the investigation established a prima facie case against the officer and other accused persons. The matter has also reached the Tripura High Court, which passed an interim order on September 16, 2026, suspending the particular proceedings challenged by the officer until further orders.
The officer's name has also figured in an earlier CBI criminal proceeding concerning allegations relating to caste certificates and his entry into the IAS. The Supreme Court, in September 2019, set aside an earlier Gauhati High Court judgment after the original writ petition was withdrawn and directed that the criminal proceedings and charge-sheet be dealt with by the competent court according to law.
Apart from these proceedings, Tripurainfo had earlier reported that the Tripura Police Crime Branch was examining three separate cases involving allegations against the officer. The complete particulars and present status of these cases, however, have not been disclosed by Tripura Police’s crime branch.
The ED had also reported provisional attachment of assets and bank balances worth approximately Rs 1.63 crore under two attachment orders in an earlier investigation involving alleged financial irregularities. The agency is examining the suspected money trail and alleged receipt of proceeds of crime.
What has particularly raised concern is the financial and administrative aspect of the suspension. While the officer is not performing regular government duties, he continues to receive subsistence allowance from public funds. Tripura cadre IAS officer Abhishek Chandra has been under suspension since October 10, 2025.
However, the larger question is whether the Tripura Government has periodically reviewed the suspension, examined the progress of the investigations and initiated appropriate departmental proceedings wherever legally permissible.
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