The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has escalated its probe into the Rs 116 crore fake fixed deposit receipt (FDR) scam involving the Chandigarh municipal corporation and Chandigarh Smart City Limited. The agency has issued a notice to the municipal commissioner, demanding all relevant records pertaining to the case.
Details of the Notice
The CBI has specifically requested service records, appointment orders, posting details, and specimen signatures and handwriting of dismissed accountant Anubhav Mishra, former Smart City finance officer Nalini Malik, and ex-joint commissioner Gurinder Singh Sodhi. Additionally, the agency seeks details of all officials who worked with these individuals. Investigators are scrutinizing the role of every officer potentially connected to the fraudulent scheme.
Compliance and Legal Consequences
The documents must be submitted at the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch office in Sector 30, Chandigarh. The notice warns of action under Section 210 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for non-compliance. This section pertains to the failure to provide information or produce documents when legally required.
Additional Records Sought
The CBI has also called for copies of letters issued to banks on March 20, 2025, regarding account closures, as well as correspondence sent to IDFC First Bank on February 24, 2026. Furthermore, records of related bank accounts and FDRs have been demanded to trace the flow of funds.
Background of the Case
The case was officially registered by the CBI's Economic Offences Branch on May 11, 2026. It invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), along with sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The probe centers on the alleged embezzlement of government funds through counterfeit FDRs purportedly issued by IDFC First Bank.
The scandal came to light following a complaint by municipal corporation officials. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Chandigarh Police initially investigated and uncovered forged FDRs worth approximately Rs 116 crore. After approval from the Municipal Corporation House, the UT administration recommended a CBI inquiry to the central government, paving the way for the current investigation. The CBI is now examining the roles of all officers who may have been involved in or facilitated the fraud.
