Enforcement Directorate attached Rs 1.1 crore in bank accounts of shell entities controlled by now suspended IAS officers (Tripura cadre), Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and Abhishek Chandra, in a multi-crore cheating scam case.The duo allegedly formed several shell companies and projected themselves as senior officers of the ministry of home affairs.They then prepared fake identity cards to that effect, incorporated firms bearing deceptive similarity to PSU and govt depts, including ‘Directorate of Higher Education, Tripura’ and ‘Bridge & Roof Co.’, and fraudulently took control of a registered trust, Chaltakhali Swamiji Seva Sangha.
Shell entities lured investors with false promises, says ED
“Using the shell entities, they allegedly lured businessmen and investors with false promises of govt tenders, mid-day meal contracts and rubber business profits, and induced them to remit funds running into crores of rupees into bank accounts of these entities,” ED said.The central agency said on Saturday that the proceeds of crime were routed through a web of shell firms controlled by the accused and his associates, and were substantially withdrawn in cash for distribution.A significant portion of the proceeds was further traced to downstream entities and integrated into immovable properties, vehicles and other assets held in the names of the accused and his family members.“Investigation has further revealed that Abhishek Chandra, IAS, an officer of the Tripura cadre presently under suspension, received Proceeds of Crime generated by Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and his associates, both directly into his personal bank accounts and indirectly through payments made by scheme entities to a private housing company towards booking of a flat in his name,” according to ED.Chowdhury and his associates have several cases registered against them in Tripura and WB.
