ED gives IAS officer Anand Kishore a second extension in Bihar tender scam probe
Synopsis
For the second time in two weeks, senior IAS officer Anand Kishore has avoided sitting across from ED investigators — this time by pushing his questioning past Chhath. With a second IAS officer also deferring and investigators reportedly combing through WhatsApp chats for evidence of tender manipulation and commission payments, Bihar's sprawling procurement scam is showing no signs of swift resolution.
Key Takeaways
IAS officer Anand Kishore secured a second consecutive extension from the ED , deferring his appearance in Patna to after the Chhath festival .
Kishore had earlier failed to appear on 30 October and was issued fresh summons before seeking yet another delay.
A second IAS officer, Yogesh Kumar Sagar , reportedly also sought an additional week from the ED.
Investigators are examining WhatsApp chats and financial records to establish alleged links between the officers and contractor Rishu Shri .
The probe covers alleged sharing of confidential tender data, manipulation of bidding conditions, and payment of commissions.
Rishu Shri is also accused in a separate corruption and money laundering case involving senior IAS officer Sanjeev Hans .
Senior IAS officer Anand Kishore has secured a second consecutive extension from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to defer his appearance before investigators probing an alleged tender scam in Bihar. The central agency, which had summoned Kishore to its Patna office on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, granted him an additional week after he sought more time — pushing his questioning to after the Chhath festival.
Second Deferral in a Row
This is the second time Kishore has sought and received an extension. He had earlier failed to appear before the agency on 30 October, citing the need for additional time. The ED accepted that request, issued fresh summons, and scheduled his appearance for Wednesday — only for Kishore to seek yet another postponement.
A second IAS officer, Yogesh Kumar Sagar, is also expected to be questioned in the same case and reportedly sought a similar week-long extension from the central probe agency.
What Investigators Are Examining
According to reports, the ED is examining WhatsApp chats and other digital material to determine whether government officials shared confidential tender-related information with contractor Rishu Shri or helped manipulate the bidding process in his favour. Investigators are also probing whether commissions were paid in exchange for official favours and whether a portion of such proceeds reached the officials concerned.
The central agency is working to establish an alleged chain of communication and financial transactions linking the officers to the contractor, and to determine the specific roles, if any, each officer played in the tender process.
Who Is Rishu Shri
Rishu Shri, a native of Bihar's Saran district, is an accused in a broader corruption and money laundering case that also names senior IAS officer Sanjeev Hans and other officials. The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) had earlier registered a case against Shri. According to the ED's investigation, Shri allegedly obtained confidential information about government tenders through contacts with officials and employees, and tender conditions were allegedly manipulated in collusion with government functionaries to ensure contracts went to selected parties.
What Happens Next
The officers' responses during questioning are expected to form a key part of the ongoing investigation. With both Anand Kishore and Yogesh Kumar Sagar having deferred their appearances, the ED's timeline for completing witness examination in this phase of the probe now extends beyond the Chhath festival. Any further delays could draw scrutiny over the pace of the investigation into what is shaping up as a significant public procurement irregularity case in Bihar.
Point of View
The evidentiary picture may already be substantial; what remains to be seen is whether the questioning, once it finally happens, produces outcomes commensurate with the seriousness of the alleged manipulation. Bihar's tender ecosystem has faced recurring scrutiny, and this case, touching multiple IAS officers and a contractor already linked to a broader money-laundering probe, could either become a watershed or another long-running inquiry that fades without consequence.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has IAS officer Anand Kishore been summoned by the ED?
The ED has summoned Anand Kishore in connection with an alleged tender scam in Bihar, where investigators are examining whether government officials shared confidential tender information with contractor Rishu Shri and helped manipulate the bidding process. The agency is also probing alleged commission payments made in exchange for official favours.
How many times has Anand Kishore sought an extension from the ED?
Anand Kishore has sought an extension twice. He first failed to appear on 30 October, requesting additional time, and then sought a second extension on 11 November, pushing his appearance to after the Chhath festival.
Who is Rishu Shri and what is his role in the case?
Rishu Shri is a contractor from Bihar's Saran district who is accused in a corruption and money laundering case. He is alleged to have obtained confidential government tender information through official contacts and to have benefited from manipulated bidding conditions. He is also named in a separate case involving IAS officer Sanjeev Hans.
Is any other IAS officer being questioned in the tender scam?
Yes, IAS officer Yogesh Kumar Sagar is also expected to be questioned by the ED in the same case. He reportedly also sought an additional week's extension from the agency.
What evidence is the ED examining in this tender scam probe?
Investigators are reportedly examining WhatsApp chats and other digital material to establish whether officials shared confidential tender data with the contractor. They are also tracing alleged financial transactions to determine if commissions were paid and whether proceeds reached the officials involved.
