The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a charge sheet in a Special Court in Panchkula against 15 individuals, which includes three public servants and six bank officials from IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. The case involves the misappropriation of Rs 504 crore belonging to the Haryana government. The charge sheet cites various offenses such as criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
All the accused, including the bank officials and public servants, are currently in judicial custody. Among those charged are officials from IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, as well as public servants from Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited, Development and Panchayat Department, and Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad. Additionally, the charge sheet mentions two shell entities, their partners/directors, and a private individual in connection with the case.
The investigation revolves around the alleged diversion of government funds amounting to Rs 504 crore from the bank accounts of various Haryana government departments. The fraudulent activities were reportedly carried out through collusion between bank officials and public servants in the concerned departments. The case originated from a probe by the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and was later taken over by the CBI for further investigation.
According to the CBI, the charge sheet against the 15 accused was filed upon completion of the investigation into their involvement in the financial irregularities. The fraud at IDFC First Bank was uncovered earlier this year when discrepancies were noticed during a routine banking transaction by an official from the Haryana government’s Development and Panchayats department. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the CBI from the state’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, with the Enforcement Directorate also commencing a separate inquiry.
