ED Attaches Rs 1.12 Crore More in Tripura Money Laundering Case, Total Reaches Rs 1.63 Crore
Aug 02, 2026
Agartala, Aug 1: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Agartala has attached fresh bank balances of approximately Rs 1.12 crore in a money laundering case linked to impersonation of government officials, taking the total value of assets provisionally attached in the case, across two orders, to nearly Rs 1.63 crore. "Including the present order, the total value of assets provisionally attached in the case, across two Provisional Attachment Orders, stands at approximately Rs.1.63 Crore," the ED said in a press release. The latest attachment was made vide a Provisional Attachment Order dated 31.07.2026 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. It is learned that the case involves impersonation of government officials and cheating of investors and businessmen through entities bearing deceptive similarity to government organisations.
The attached assets comprise bank balances held in the names of shell entities controlled by Utpal Kumar Chowdhury, suspended IAS officer Abhishek Chandra of the Tripura cadre, and a private housing company. According to the ED, the investigation was initiated under the PMLA on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by police in West Bengal and Tripura against Chowdhury and his associates for cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and impersonation under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Investigation has revealed that Chowdhury projected himself as a senior officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and got fake identity cards prepared to that effect. He allegedly incorporated firms bearing deceptive similarity to government departments and public sector undertakings, including entities resembling the Directorate of Higher Education, Tripura, and M/s Bridge & Roof Co., and fraudulently took control of a registered trust to lure businessmen and investors with false promises of government tenders, mid day meal supply contracts and rubber business profits.
The ED further stated, "The Proceeds of Crime so collected were routed through a web of shell firms controlled by the accused and his associates, and were substantially withdrawn in cash for distribution." A significant portion was reportedly traced to immovable properties, vehicles and other assets held in the names of the accused and his family members. Notably, Chandra had earlier come under scrutiny in July, when a Nagpur-based firm lodged an FIR alleging it was cheated of Rs 14.55 crore through fabricated tender documents involving Chandra, Krishna Chakraborty and Chowdhury. Chandra allegedly received proceeds directly into his personal accounts and indirectly through payments towards booking of a flat in his name. The ED said, "Further investigation is under progress."
