Haryana ACB Makes Fifth Arrest in Massive Rs 590 Crore Bank Fraud Case
In a significant development, the Haryana Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday arrested Naresh Kumar Bhuwani, a 52-year-old government official, marking the fifth arrest in the sprawling Rs 590 crore bank scam involving state departments. This arrest is particularly notable as Bhuwani is the first government employee to be taken into custody in this high-profile case.
Details of the Accused and His Role
Naresh Kumar Bhuwani served as a superintendent in the office of the director, development and panchayat in Haryana. A native of Jagram Bas district in Charkhi Dadri, he currently resides in Mohali. According to ACB officials, Bhuwani played a pivotal role in the alleged fraud by forming Swastik Desh Project along with other accused individuals to systematically siphon money from government accounts.
Investigators revealed that Bhuwani not only received funds directly from Swastik Desh Project but also acted as a crucial middleman between co-accused private individuals and certain public servants. His arrest was made based on detailed analysis of the firm's bank transactions, which uncovered illicit transfers.
Alleged Financial Misconduct and Illicit Transfers
The ACB has accused Bhuwani of orchestrating multiple illegal fund transfers. Specifically, he is alleged to have:
- Transferred Rs 1 crore of government funds through a private agency to his personal bank account.
- Diverted Rs 10 lakh to his daughter's account.
- Used Rs 25 lakh to purchase a Toyota Fortuner SUV.
Further scrutiny of bank records showed additional unauthorized transfers from the firm's account to his personal account, including Rs 40 lakh on November 13, Rs 10 lakh on November 27, another Rs 40 lakh on November 15, and a further Rs 10 lakh on November 27. These transactions total significant sums, highlighting the scale of the alleged embezzlement.
Legal Proceedings and Custody Details
Following his arrest, Bhuwani was presented before the Panchkula court, which remanded him to ACB custody for six days. The agency argued for his detention, citing a high risk of evidence tampering. "Given that this scam involves crores of rupees and extensive digital and documentary evidence, his custody is essential to prevent any interference with critical bank records, digital proofs, or government documents," stated an ACB representative.
The other individuals previously arrested in this case include Ribhav Rishi, a former branch head, and Abhay Kumar, a former relationship manager at Panchkula's Sector 32 IDFC First Bank, along with Abhay's wife Swati Singla and her brother Abhishek. Swati and Abhishek were shareholders in Swastik Desh Project, and all are currently in seven days' remand as the investigation continues.
Investigation Findings and Legal Charges
Preliminary investigations indicate that Bhuwani allegedly engaged in a well-organized criminal conspiracy with private individuals and corrupt officials. He is accused of transferring money from government accounts to his personal and business accounts at IDFC First Bank in Chandigarh using forged documents, which constitutes fraud under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The ACB has charged him with unauthorized use of government funds, which were held in trust for public welfare, for personal benefit—a serious offence punishable under Section 316(5) of the IPC. Specific charges include violations under Sections 338 and 340(2) for forgery and Section 318(4) for fraud, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.
Ongoing Probe and Future Implications
The ACB is actively questioning several other persons connected to the case, and more arrests are anticipated as the probe deepens. This arrest underscores the bureau's intensified efforts to combat corruption within government departments and recover misappropriated public funds.
This case highlights systemic vulnerabilities in financial oversight and the need for stricter controls to prevent such large-scale scams. The ACB's actions signal a robust crackdown on corruption, aiming to restore public trust and ensure accountability in the administration of government resources.
