The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) conducted a raid on Wednesday at the residence of contractor Rishu Shri in Patna, recovering ornaments valued at approximately Rs 2 crore and Rs 2.5 lakh in cash. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged tender manipulation and corruption.
Details of the Raid
An eight-member SVU team searched Rishu's flat in the Mithapur area of the state capital. During the search, they examined documents, bank transactions, and electronic devices. Rishu is accused of manipulating government tenders to benefit his company and extending undue favors to officials.
Allegations of Financing IAS Officers' Foreign Trips
Investigators are also probing allegations that Rishu financed foreign trips of senior IAS officers in exchange for securing contracts. According to an Enforcement Directorate (ED) report from six months ago, he allegedly sponsored trips for 2017-batch IAS officer Yogesh Kumar Sagar and 2014-batch IAS officer Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, along with their families, to destinations in Europe and Australia. The sponsorship reportedly covered travel and accommodation costs.
Further investigation revealed that Rishu allegedly spent around Rs 9 lakh on terrace gardening work at Abhilasha Sharma's residence.
Previous ED Raids
Earlier, in November 2025, an ED team had raided the same premises and seized Rs 51 lakh in cash, ornaments worth about Rs 2 crore, and 61 sale deeds. On November 25 last year, the ED also conducted searches at nine locations linked to Rishu in Ahmedabad, Surat, Gurgaon, and Delhi, recovering Rs 33 lakh in cash, key documents, and digital devices.
Official Response
SVU ADG Pankaj Darad confirmed receipt of the ED's communication and stated that the matter has been forwarded to the additional chief secretary, vigilance. An FIR against the two IAS officers will be registered after due approval.
Rishu is already under investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The current SVU search and verification of documents are ongoing.
