A case of alleged large-scale financial fraud linked to government tender processes in Tripura has come to light after an FIR was registered at the New Capital Complex Police Station in Agartala on July 1.

A Nagpur-based business firm has accused an IAS officer, Abhishek Chandra, along with Utpal Chandra, Sudip Pal, and Krishna Chakraborty, of cheating and criminal conspiracy. The complainant alleges that the accused lured the firm into investing money by falsely promising participation in government supply tenders issued by the Directorate of Higher Education, Tripura.

According to the FIR, the accused presented themselves as being connected with senior administrative authorities and tender approval mechanisms. Based on these claims, a joint venture agreement was reportedly signed in September 2024 for participation in supposed government supply contracts.

The firm alleges that between September 2024 and February 2025, it transferred approximately ₹14.55 crore as earnest money and related payments, believing the transactions were part of legitimate government-approved projects. The complaint also states that various documents, work orders, and WhatsApp communications were shared to make the arrangement appear authentic.

It further claims that some payments were later credited back to the firm’s account, described as refunds or profit shares, which strengthened their confidence in the legitimacy of the deal. However, during a verification exercise in April 2025, the firm allegedly discovered that no such tenders had been issued by the concerned department and that the supporting documents were fabricated.

The complainant has also alleged that after the fraud was uncovered, the accused became uncontactable, and one individual linked to payment handling was earlier misrepresented regarding his location.

Police have registered the FIR and initiated proceedings. The allegations include cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Authorities have stated that the matter is currently under preliminary investigation and all claims are subject to verification.