The Central Bureau of Investigation has expanded its probe into the alleged ₹504-crore Haryana government funds embezzlement case, filing its third chargesheet against 19 more accused, including six Haryana-cadre IAS officers. The latest chargesheet also names three officials of IDFC First Bank, one official of AU Small Finance Bank, and nine officials and employees of various Haryana government departments. The chargesheet was filed before the Special CBI Court in Panchkula on Wednesday.
Who Has Been Chargesheeted in the Latest CBI Filing?
With the latest filing, the total number of accused chargesheeted in the case has risen to 37. According to the CBI, 26 accused have been arrested so far. The agency alleges that government funds were diverted from accounts belonging to state departments and institutions and transferred to bank accounts that had no legitimate connection with the concerned government bodies.
According to the investigation agency, government officials and employees allegedly worked in collusion with bank officials to move public money through a planned network of transactions. The CBI has alleged that funds belonging to eight government departments and institutions were transferred to specific bank branches where some of the accused bank officials were posted.
How Were the Haryana Government Funds Allegedly Diverted?
The agency has further alleged that these transactions violated financial discipline and fraud-prevention procedures prescribed by the Haryana Finance Department. Money deposited in government accounts was allegedly transferred to third-party accounts that had no direct connection with the departments or institutions concerned.
The CBI claims that once the money reached these accounts, it was routed through several other bank accounts before allegedly being converted into cash. The agency suspects that the arrangement generated illegal financial benefits for the accused. Investigators are now focusing on reconstructing the entire financial trail and identifying the ultimate beneficiaries of the allegedly diverted funds.
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Which Haryana Government Departments Were Affected?
The government institutions whose funds were allegedly affected include the Panchayat Department, Panchkula Municipal Corporation, Kalka Municipal Corporation, Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad, Haryana Labour Welfare Board, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, Haryana State Pollution Control Board and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited.
The third chargesheet includes provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, using forged documents as genuine, destruction of evidence, manipulation of accounts, criminal breach of trust and abetment. The CBI has also invoked provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with bribery and criminal misconduct.
What Did the CBI Recover During Its Searches?
During the investigation, the CBI has conducted searches at 54 locations. According to the agency, incriminating documents and other material were recovered during these operations. Gold valued at around ₹20 crore was also seized during the searches. Investigators are examining whether the seized assets and other financial resources are linked to the alleged proceeds of crime.
The CBI had earlier filed two chargesheets in the case, naming 18 accused. Those chargesheets included government officials, bank officials, private individuals and companies. The case was initially investigated by the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau before being transferred to the CBI following a request from the state government.
Has the Investigation Extended Beyond Haryana?
The investigation has also extended to related cases in Chandigarh involving alleged misuse of government funds. The CBI has taken over two cases involving Chandigarh Smart City Limited, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society. Chargesheets have already been filed in both cases.
The agency said its investigation remains underway and that the roles of other suspects and accused are being examined. Investigators are also tracing the wider movement of the allegedly diverted funds, the suspected proceeds of crime and assets that may have been acquired from them.
What Happens Next in the ₹504 Crore Funds Case?
The latest chargesheet is expected to provide investigators with further leads into the alleged network involving government officials, banking personnel and private parties. The focus will remain on establishing how the funds were authorised, transferred, routed through multiple accounts and eventually withdrawn or converted into assets.
The CBI is also examining whether additional individuals or entities benefited from the alleged transactions. Further arrests or additional chargesheets may follow depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
However, being named in a chargesheet does not by itself establish guilt. The allegations against the accused remain subject to judicial scrutiny, and the prosecution will have to establish the charges through evidence before the court.
