ED in Agartala attaches Rs. 1.12 cr in PMLA action linked to suspended IAS officer Abhishek Chandra

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Agartala Sub-Zonal Office, has provisionally attached bank balances worth approximately Rs. 1.12 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an alleged fraud involving impersonation of Government officials and cheating investors and businessmen through entities deceptively resembling Government organisations.

According to the ED, the attachment was made through a Provisional Attachment Order dated July 31, 2026. The attached assets comprise bank balances held in the names of shell entities allegedly controlled by Utpal Kumar Chowdhury, suspended Tripura cadre IAS officer Abhishek Chandra, and a private housing company. The agency has identified these funds as proceeds of crime.

The ED initiated its money laundering investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by police in West Bengal and Tripura against Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and his associates. The FIRs relate to offences including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and impersonation,  which are scheduled offences under the PMLA.

The investigation revealed that Utpal Kumar Chowdhury allegedly posed as a senior official of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, using forged identity cards. 

He is also accused of incorporating firms with names closely resembling Government departments and public sector undertakings, including "Directorate of Higher Education, Tripura" and "M/s Bridge & Roof Co.", besides fraudulently taking control of the registered trust Chaltakhali Swamiji Seva Sangha.

The ED alleged that these entities were used to lure businessmen and investors with false promises of Government tenders, mid-day meal supply contracts and lucrative rubber business ventures. 

Victims were allegedly persuaded to transfer crores of rupees into bank accounts operated by these entities.

According to the investigation, the proceeds of crime were routed through a network of shell companies controlled by the accused and their associates.

Much of the money was reportedly withdrawn in cash, while a substantial portion was diverted to downstream entities and invested in immovable properties, vehicles and other assets held in the names of the accused and their family members.

The ED further stated that suspended IAS officer Abhishek Chandra allegedly received proceeds of crime generated by Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and his associates. 

The agency claimed that the funds reached him both directly through personal bank accounts and indirectly through payments made by scheme entities to a private housing company for booking a flat in his name.

With the latest attachment, the total value of assets provisionally attached in the case across two Provisional Attachment Orders has reached approximately Rs. 1.63 crore.

The Enforcement Directorate said further investigation in the case is underway.