Panchkula: A major breakthrough has emerged in the high-profile ₹158 crore Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) scam, with one of the key accused, Swati Tomar, surrendering before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) headquarters in Panchkula. Investigators revealed that nearly ₹35 crore had been transferred into her bank account, intensifying the seriousness of the case and pointing to a deeper financial conspiracy.
Swati Tomar, originally from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh and currently residing in Chandigarh, appeared before officials along with her legal counsel and recorded her statement. Following due procedure, she was formally arrested and is expected to be produced before a local court.
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According to the defence, Tomar had no knowledge of the fraudulent transactions. Her counsel claimed that co-accused Rajat Dahra allegedly lured her with promises of government-related work and subcontracting opportunities. Trusting these assurances, she reportedly shared her personal documents, which were later misused to open and operate bank accounts linked to the scam.
Investigations have revealed that a bank account was opened in her name, but critical details such as the registered mobile number were allegedly altered without her knowledge. This prevented her from receiving transaction alerts, including OTP notifications. Authorities stated that funds deposited into her account were swiftly transferred to multiple other accounts, making the money trail complex and difficult to trace.
Sources indicate that Tomar became aware of the case only after investigators contacted her family members. Subsequently, she chose to surrender voluntarily. Officials are now examining whether she was an active participant in the fraud or merely a conduit whose identity was exploited by the masterminds.
Earlier interrogations of co-accused Rajat Dahra reportedly revealed that over ₹60 crore had passed through two of his bank accounts between 2020 and 2025. These funds were further distributed across several accounts, suggesting a well-organised network designed to siphon and layer illicit money.
So far, four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including a bank-linked official, two private persons, and a municipal corporation employee. The involvement of an insider from the civic body has added a sensitive dimension to the investigation, raising concerns over internal lapses and possible collusion.
Investigators believe the scam was meticulously planned, involving forged documents, shell accounts, and strategic manipulation of financial systems. Preliminary findings suggest that systemic loopholes were exploited to divert massive public funds without immediate detection.
The case was registered on March 24 under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Authorities are now probing the extent of involvement of other officials and banking personnel who may have facilitated or overlooked suspicious transactions.
In a related development, the health of one of the arrested municipal employees deteriorated during police remand. He was rushed to a private hospital after complaining of seizures and severe pain. After initial treatment, he was discharged, and his condition is reported to be stable.
Experts point out that such financial frauds often involve unsuspecting individuals whose documents are misused to create layers of transactions. This pattern highlights the growing sophistication of white-collar crimes, where fraudsters exploit both technological gaps and human vulnerability.
Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution and avoid sharing personal or financial documents without proper verification. Even seemingly legitimate offers of jobs or contracts can sometimes be used as bait in complex fraud schemes.
Officials have indicated that further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. The role of Swati Tomar remains under close scrutiny to determine whether she was complicit or unknowingly used as part of the operation.
The case once again underscores how organised financial networks exploit administrative and digital loopholes to execute large-scale frauds, posing serious challenges to regulatory and enforcement agencies.
