Automatic Suspension Triggered After 48-Hour Custody
Haryana's 2000-batch IAS officer Pankaj Agarwal, arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with an alleged Rs 657 crore bank scam, is now set to face automatic suspension. According to Section 3(2) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, any service member detained in official custody for more than 48 hours is deemed suspended by the government. Agarwal was arrested on June 22 and produced before a Panchkula court, which remanded him to two-day CBI custody on Tuesday.
From Key Government Assignments to CBI Custody
Just three months ago, Agarwal was considered close to the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government. He held key positions including Principal Secretary of Irrigation and Water Resources, Adviser to the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Board, and Principal Secretary of Mines and Geology. However, his fortunes turned after the Congress raised allegations of misconduct during the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections, where he served as Returning Officer (RO). The Congress accused him of favoring BJP-backed Independent candidate Satish Nandal by invalidating their votes. Despite an FIR registered by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) on February 23 in the bank scam, Agarwal continued to receive important assignments.
Details of the Rs 657 Crore Bank Scam
According to the investigation, Agarwal allegedly played a role in siphoning off more than Rs 50 crore from the Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad (HSSPP) and another Rs 10 crore from the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board. The CBI took over the investigation on April 8. On the same day, Agarwal and other accused IAS officers were transferred to the Architecture Department, where he served as Principal Secretary until his arrest.
Political Fallout and Congressional Criticism
Following the Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress Legislative Party submitted a memorandum to Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh on March 19, describing Agarwal's conduct as “shameful”. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda posted on X: “The BJP government exploited this corrupt officer to serve its own political interests by using the threat of action against him as leverage.” The controversy has intensified political attacks against the BJP government, with the Congress demanding a thorough investigation into the scam and Agarwal's role.
Career Background of Pankaj Agarwal
Agarwal began his career in 2001 as Assistant Commissioner at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration, Gurugram. He has served in several key departments, including Power, Irrigation and Water Resources, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Personnel, Labour and Transport. His arrest marks a significant fall from grace for the senior bureaucrat.
