PATNA, May 31 -- Two IAS officers from 2014 and 2017 batches have been suspended for allegedly taking favours from Rishu Shree alias Rishu Ranjan Sinha, the high-profile contractor, who was arrested on Thursday and is said to have a wide network among senior officials of the Bihar government. The two officers are -- Abhilasha Kumari Sharma of 2014 batch and Yogesh Kumar Sagar of 2017 batch. In a notification issued by the additional secretary of GAD, Sadan Kumar Jha, both officers have been placed under suspension after the special vigilance unit (SVU) submitted before the state government the ED's report, evidence related to allegation against them and Rishu's statement about commission, bribes and favour provided to them. "Both the IAS officers were suspended according to Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) 1969," said the notification. Prior to her suspension, Abhilasha was posted as an additional CEO, Jeveeka, rural development department, while Yogesh was the MD of urban planning department and director (disability) of social welfare department. Both are accused of enjoying the largesse of Rishu Shree in lieu of doing favours to him. Abhilasha had also been the commissioner of the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). She held various positions during her previous stints, including Sitamarhi district magistrate and as a joint secretary in the finance department. Yogesh had also worked as the Bihar urban infrastructure development corporation (BUIDCO) managing director and Bhagalpur municipal commissioner earlier. Rishi Shree was arrested on Thursday by the SVU almost two years after the ED carried out raids at his places and his plea for quashing of FIR against him was rejected by the Patna High Court. He had also approached the Supreme Court, but he was asked to approach the appropriate court first. The investigation revealed that Rishu had adopted methods of 'bribes' to officials to secure government tenders. When Yogesh Kumar was the MD of BUIDCO, Rishu spent about Rs 22 lakh for trips abroad with Yogesh family. In return, many large tenders of the Urban Development Department were handed over to Rishu's company. Abhilasha Kumari Sharma is accused of taking expensive gifts and iPhones from Rishu, besides making a garden on the roof of her house. Not only this, the cost of his relatives' tours across the country was also borne by Rishu. This 'service' tender of more than nine lakh rupees was given in return for managing. SVU is now preparing to take Rishu on remand. The ED and SVU have continued their investigations into the case, in which the names of more senior officials are likely to come out. The suspension of two IAS officers has sent panic among several other officers whose names figure in the lists of the ED as well as SVU. This is not the first action taken against IAS officials for corruptions resulting from links with Rishu. Earlier in October 2024, Sanjeev Hans, a 1997 batch IAS officer, was suspended after his arrest on the charges of money laundering and corruption....