By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 07, 2026
Agartala, July 7 (FD) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said the state government has already initiated administrative action against suspended Tripura-cadre IAS officer Abhishek Chandra and that any further action will be taken strictly in accordance with the law.
Responding to queries from reporters over the recently registered criminal case against Chandra, the Chief Minister said the government's action against the officer had begun well before the latest allegations surfaced.
"We cannot act arbitrarily. Every action has to be taken in accordance with the law. Whatever further action is required against Abhishek Chandra will also proceed through the legal process," Dr. Saha said.
His remarks come after Tripura Police registered a case at the New Capital Complex (NCC) Police Station on July 1 based on a complaint alleging a fake government tender fraud involving ₹14.55 crore.
According to the complaint filed by Manish Malani of Nagpur-based SK Sales Corporation, Chandra and three others allegedly induced the company to transfer ₹14.55 crore by promising government tenders and work orders, which were later found to be forged. The other accused named in the FIR are Sudip Paul, Krishna Chakraborty and Utpal Kumar Chowdhury.
Police have registered the case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and impersonation. The investigation is currently underway, and Tripura Police have not disclosed further details, citing the ongoing probe.
Chandra has also been facing separate legal and departmental proceedings linked to allegations concerning his entry into the Indian Administrative Service on the basis of an allegedly fraudulent Scheduled Caste certificate. Those proceedings, along with departmental action, remain pending before the competent authorities and courts. He has denied the allegations.
The Tripura Government had earlier placed Chandra on compulsory waiting before suspending him pending departmental inquiry and ongoing criminal investigations.
The latest case has renewed public attention on the suspended officer, while the state government has reiterated that both the departmental inquiry and criminal investigation will proceed independently in accordance with the law.
The investigation into the latest FIR is continuing. Under Indian law, all accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court. FD JK