Two More Haryana Government Officials Arrested in Major Banking Fraud Case
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the alleged Rs 597 crore fraud at IDFC First Bank, authorities in Panchkula have arrested two additional government officials. The arrests underscore the deepening involvement of public servants in what appears to be a widespread financial conspiracy.
Latest Arrests and Official Positions
The newly detained individuals are Randhir Singh, who served as Controller of Finance and Accounts with the Haryana School Education Project Council, and Rajesh Sangwan, holding the same position at the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB). According to official statements, both men allegedly played pivotal roles in the conspiracy alongside the primary accused.
These arrests follow closely on the heels of another government official—a superintendent from the office of the director, development and panchayat—who was taken into custody just days earlier in connection with the same case.
Court Proceedings and Police Remand
The two officers were formally arrested on Friday and subsequently presented before a Panchkula court. The court granted the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) a four-day police remand, allowing investigators to conduct thorough interrogations. In its submission to the court, the ACB emphasized that the case involves large-scale siphoning of government funds amounting to crores of rupees and that the investigation remains incomplete.
The bureau specifically requested five days of police remand, arguing that this time was essential to interrogate the accused comprehensively and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. The court ultimately approved four days, providing a critical window for investigators to gather more evidence.
Allegations and Violations
According to the ACB, both newly arrested officials allegedly violated instructions issued periodically by the Haryana finance department. They are accused of conspiring with other individuals to siphon off government funds. The bureau stated that they actively participated in committing the offense and accepted substantial amounts as illegal gratification.
However, the ACB has not yet disclosed the exact amount recovered from them or the specific sums they allegedly gained through their actions. Officials have also refrained from sharing the precise modus operandi and detailed roles of the two officials, indicating that these aspects are still under investigation.
Need for Sustained Interrogation
In its request for remand, the ACB outlined several reasons why sustained interrogation is necessary. The bureau explained that it needs to piece together the complete sequence of events and understand how the conspiracy was devised and executed. The case reportedly involves siphoning off funds through forged instruction memos, debit notes, and other valuable financial instruments.
Custodial interrogation is deemed crucial to identify all the accused, establish their individual roles, and determine the devices and methods used in the fraud. The agency plans to confront the accused with documents seized during the investigation to establish connections between bank officials, private individuals, and public servants.
Verification Process and Additional Developments
The ACB further argued that interrogations are necessary to trace the proceeds of the crime, recover forged and fabricated documents, and verify every credit and debit entry in the accounts of companies and firms through which government funds were routed. This verification process is expected to require considerable time due to the complexity and scale of the transactions involved.
In related developments, another accused, Rajan Singh, has been sent to four days of vigilance remand, while Ankur Sharma has been remanded to judicial custody. These actions highlight the broadening scope of the investigation as authorities work to unravel the intricate web of financial misconduct.
The arrests and ongoing probes signal a determined effort by law enforcement to address corruption and fraud within government institutions, aiming to restore public trust and ensure accountability in the handling of public funds.
