Haryana ACB Arrests Key Middleman in Rs 590 Crore Government Fund Siphoning Probe
The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Panchkula made a significant arrest on Saturday, taking into custody Manish Jindal, an accused in the ongoing investigation into the alleged siphoning of Rs 590 crore from Haryana government funds. This development marks a crucial step in unraveling a complex financial fraud that has implicated multiple individuals and entities.
Manish Jindal's Alleged Role as a Middleman
Manish Jindal, a resident of Sector 117 in Mohali, is accused of acting as a middleman in the fund diversion racket. According to ACB officials, he worked closely with certain officers of the Haryana administration and was said to have close ties with an IAS officer. His arrest followed the interrogation of Naresh Kumar Bhuwani, a 52-year-old superintendent in the office of the director of the Development and Panchayat Department, Haryana, who was arrested earlier. Bhuwani's revelations during questioning pointed directly to Jindal's involvement, prompting the ACB to take swift action.
In remand papers, the ACB stated that Jindal played a "significant and active role" in hatching a conspiracy with co-accused individuals to divert government money to private firms for wrongful gain. He allegedly benefited substantially from this scheme, receiving cash and valuables worth crores of rupees. The bureau emphasized that he not only helped plan the conspiracy but also actively executed it, making his arrest pivotal to the investigation.
Evidence and Legal Proceedings
Digital evidence, particularly the analysis of call detail records (CDR), has corroborated Jindal's involvement in the case. Witness statements and a thorough scrutiny of his bank records have revealed several unexplained transactions, further strengthening the case against him. On Sunday, Manish Jindal was produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate Aparna Bhardwaj, who granted the ACB five days of police remand. The bureau had initially sought a 10-day remand, arguing that more time was needed to uncover the complete modus operandi, identify all beneficiaries, and verify the roles played by public servants, bank officials, private individuals, and others linked to the fund diversion.
The ACB also highlighted the need to recover documents related to movable and immovable property allegedly purchased by Jindal using the proceeds of crime. This aspect of the investigation is critical to tracing the flow of illicit funds and ensuring accountability.
Broader Context and Recent Arrests
This arrest is part of a larger probe that has seen multiple individuals apprehended. Recently, on February 24, the ACB arrested four more people: Rishab Rishi, Abhay Kumar, Swati Singla, and Abhishek Singla. They are currently under seven days of police remand as the investigation continues. Preliminary analysis of statements indicates that money was allegedly siphoned off from various government accounts, including those of HSSPP, HPCB, HPGCL, DPMMG, and the municipal corporation in Panchkula.
The diverted funds were then further channeled from the account of Swastik Desh Project to several entities, such as Sawan Jewellers, accused Ribhav Rishi, other jewellers, Divya Arora (wife of Ribhav Rishi), accused Abhishek Singla, accused Swati Singla, some government accounts, and other private individuals. This intricate web of transactions underscores the scale and complexity of the alleged fraud.
The ACB's ongoing efforts aim to bring all perpetrators to justice and recover the misappropriated funds, highlighting the bureau's commitment to combating corruption in Haryana.
