Chandigarh: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed its third chargesheet in the alleged ₹504-crore Haryana government funds misappropriation case, naming 19 accused, including six IAS officers of the Haryana cadre.
The chargesheet was filed before the Special CBI Court in Panchkula on Wednesday. It also names three officials of IDFC First Bank, one official of AU Small Finance Bank and nine other Haryana government officials. With the latest filing, the total number of accused chargesheeted in the case has risen to 37.
CBI Alleges Systematic Diversion of Government Funds
According to the CBI, government officials allegedly acted in connivance with bank officials to divert funds belonging to various Haryana departments.
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The agency has alleged that:
- Funds maintained by eight Haryana government departments and organisations were transferred from empanelled banks to specific branches of IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank.
- Bank accounts were allegedly opened at these branches as part of the suspected scheme.
- Government funds were subsequently transferred through multiple accounts to third parties having no connection with the concerned departments.
- The money was allegedly withdrawn or converted into cash after being routed through different accounts.
- The CBI has alleged that financial-prudence and anti-fraud guidelines of the Haryana Finance Department were violated.
Eight Haryana Departments and Bodies Affected
The CBI investigation concerns government funds associated with eight departments and organisations:
- Department of Panchayats
- Municipal Corporation Panchkula
- Municipal Corporation Kalka
- Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad
- Haryana Labour Welfare Board
- Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board
- Haryana State Pollution Control Board
- Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited
Charges Include Corruption and Forgery
The latest chargesheet includes allegations under provisions dealing with criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, destruction of evidence, use of forged documents, falsification of accounts, criminal breach of trust and abetment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also invokes provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to bribery and criminal misconduct.
54 Searches Conducted So Far
The CBI has so far conducted 54 searches in connection with the investigation and seized material that it describes as incriminating evidence, including gold valued at around ₹20 crore.
The agency has also arrested 26 accused during the investigation.
The CBI had taken over the Haryana investigation from the state’s State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau following a request from the Haryana government.
Earlier Chargesheets and ₹657-Crore Combined Probe
Before the latest filing, the CBI had chargesheeted 18 other accused in the Haryana case, including bank officials, government employees, private individuals and companies. The latest chargesheet brings the total number of accused chargesheeted in the Haryana case to 37.
The agency has also taken over two related cases concerning Chandigarh government accounts — one involving Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) and the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, and another concerning the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST).
Including the Chandigarh cases, the total amount involved in the alleged fraud has been pegged at ₹657 crore.
The investigation remains open, with the CBI continuing to examine the alleged flow of funds and the roles of other persons.
