Chandigarh: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out searches at six locations on Saturday as part of its probe into a Rs 661 crore misappropriation case involving IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank, officials said on Sunday.
The searches related to the alleged diversion of government funds across eight Haryana government departments and two Chandigarh entities — the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and CREST Chandigarh, IANS reported.
Officials stated the operations targeted premises in Chandigarh, Panchkula and the Delhi-NCR region, including the homes of senior Haryana cadre public servants and the offices of M/s. Vipam Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. and its director, in connection with suspected irregularities and receipt of proceeds of crime.
During the probe, the CBI alleged that certain public servants colluded with bank personnel, facilitating the opening of accounts, fund transfers and their subsequent diversion.
“It is alleged that they have received undue advantages for their facilitation and inaction. M/s. Vipam Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., Noida, was found to have received the crime proceeds into the account, which was subsequently transferred into the Director’s personal account. Incriminating documents, digital devices, property documents and other relevant material were seized during the search operations,” officials said.
The agency said it had taken over one case from the State Vigilance and ACB Haryana and two cases originally lodged at the Economic Offences Police Station, Chandigarh, and thereafter conducted a detailed investigation.
Officials said the matters involve charges of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of government funds and related offences allegedly committed in collusion with bank officials and public servants. The alleged fraud affected eight Haryana departments and two Chandigarh bodies, resulting in the misappropriation of Rs 661 crore.
After completing the initial phase of inquiry, the CBI has filed its first chargesheet before the Ld. CBI Court at Panchkula, outlining the roles of public servants in two entities — Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd. and Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad.
The chargesheet also described the method used to fraudulently divert government funds held with IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank on behalf of the Haryana government.
“Investigation across all three cases is actively continuing, and further action is being taken against all those found involved, and an additional chargesheet will be filed soon. CBI remains firmly committed to the thorough and impartial investigation of financial crimes and misuse of public funds,” the agency said.
