By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The year 2025 will be remembered in Bihar’s administrative and political history as a period marked by sweeping crackdowns on corruption, money laundering and tax evasion, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carrying out a series of high-profile actions. The operations not only put contractors and senior officials under scrutiny but also raised serious questions over the role of influential figures linked to both the ruling establishment and the Opposition.
Wave of Raids Across the State
From January to December 2025, central agencies conducted raids in several districts, including Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Samastipur. Investigations revealed a clear nexus involving shell companies, manipulation of the banking system, irregularities in government tenders and alleged political patronage.
Key CBI–ED Actions
On 10 January 2025, the ED carried out simultaneous searches at 19 locations across Bihar in connection with an alleged financial scam linked to Axis Bank, ICICI Bank and IDBI Bank. The probe uncovered around 183 fake loan accounts, allegedly used for large-scale tax evasion and money laundering.
Action Against RJD Leader
On 21 March 2025, the ED took major action in a case related to the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT). Former RJD विधायक Ram Anand Singh, his son Kumar Rishi Sinha and their associates were accused of amassing illegal assets worth ₹8.02 crore. As part of the proceedings, 24 properties were attached.
Government Tender Irregularities
On 13 June 2025, coordinated raids were conducted in Patna, Muzaffarpur and Surat. Cash amounting to ₹11.64 crore was recovered from premises linked to contractor Rishu Ranjan Sinha, also known as Rishu Shri. The ED stated that the money was allegedly connected to irregularities in government tenders and money laundering.
GST Refund Scam Exposed
On 21 June 2025, the CBI unearthed a ₹100-crore GST refund scam, carrying out searches in Patna, Jamshedpur and several locations in Jharkhand. Investigators found evidence of fake export bills, bogus firms and collusion involving customs officials.
Officials and Institutions Under Scanner
On 10 July 2025, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) raided premises linked to Pramod Kumar, Executive Engineer at BSEIDC, Patna. He was accused of possessing assets exceeding his known sources of income by over 300 per cent. Investigations indicated that fraudulent GST refunds were obtained through bogus companies and fake export claims, allegedly involving customs officials, chartered accountants and businesspersons.
Scholarship Scam Probe
In September 2025, the CBI conducted raids in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga in connection with the SC/ST scholarship scam. The agency found evidence of misappropriation of government funds through fake educational institutions, with crores siphoned off in the names of poor students.
Tender Scam Seizure
On 7 December 2025, the ED seized ₹9 crore in cash in the Bihar tender scam. Investigations into the actual ownership of the seized money are ongoing, while the role of the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) and some former officials has also come under question.
Together, these actions underscored 2025 as a year of unprecedented scrutiny, exposing deep-rooted financial irregularities and intensifying the debate on accountability in Bihar’s governance.
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