The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at the residence of senior IAS officer Saket Kumar as part of its investigation into the alleged ₹657-crore IDFC First Bank-AU Small Finance Bank scam.
Saket Kumar, a 2005-batch IAS officer, is among several bureaucrats under the scanner in the high-profile case involving the alleged diversion of government funds through forged banking documents and shell entities.
Also read: Delhi Court Grants Bail to IPS Officer Deepak Gahlawat in ₹3 Crore CBI Bribery Case After One Month in Custody
CBI Conducts Search Operation
According to reports, the CBI raided Kumar’s residence in connection with its ongoing probe into the alleged banking fraud.
Officials, however, have not confirmed any arrest of the officer.
The investigation is examining Kumar’s alleged role in the opening of an account belonging to the Haryana Development and Panchayats Department at the IDFC First Bank branch in Sector 32, Chandigarh.
Probe Linked to Government Department Accounts
At the time the alleged scam took place, Saket Kumar was serving as Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana while also heading the Development and Panchayats Department.
Investigators are examining whether irregularities occurred during the handling of government department accounts that were allegedly used in the fraudulent transactions.
Several IAS Officers Under Investigation
The investigation has widened to include multiple senior IAS officers.
Besides Saket Kumar, officials under scrutiny include Mani Ram Sharma, D.K. Behera, Mohd Shayin and Vineet Garg.
Former IAS officer Pardeep Kumar, who retired on June 30, is also being investigated.
Meanwhile, IAS officers Pankaj Agarwal, Ram Kumar Singh and Pardeep Kumar are currently in judicial custody in connection with the case.
The CBI had earlier obtained approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act to proceed against the officers.
Alleged Fraud of ₹657 Crore
Investigating agencies allege that bank officials, in conspiracy with government officials and private individuals, siphoned off nearly ₹657 crore from accounts belonging to eight Haryana Government departments and two departments of the Chandigarh Administration.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also conducting a parallel investigation into the alleged financial irregularities.
Fake Documents and Shell Companies
According to investigators, the fraud was executed through forged Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs), Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) request letters, debit notes, bank communications and account statements.
The allegedly diverted funds were routed through shell companies before being transferred to jewellers, real estate firms and other business entities.
The probe agencies are investigating the role of bank officials, intermediaries, business entities and government functionaries in the alleged conspiracy.
Investigation Continues
The CBI and ED continue to examine financial records, banking transactions and official documents to determine the extent of the alleged fraud and identify those responsible.
The case remains one of the largest alleged banking frauds involving government department accounts in recent years.
Also read: CBI Opposes IAS Officer Pankaj Agarwal’s Bail, Alleges Role in Rs 657 Crore Haryana Bank Scam
