Panchkula: In a shocking revelation, gold worth over ₹200 crore (₹2,00,00,00,000) was allegedly purchased using funds siphoned off from government departments in Haryana. Investigators informed the court that the scam was executed through a well-organized network of fraudulent banking transactions and shell companies. Meanwhile, six arrested accused have been sent to further remand for continued interrogation.
According to investigators, the case involves large-scale misappropriation of government funds, where money was diverted through multiple layers of accounts and entities to conceal its origin. The accused have been identified as Arun Sharma, Seema Dhiman, Anuj Kaushal, Priyanka, Rajan Singh Katodia, and Vikram Wadhwa, all of whom were produced before the court.
How the Scam Was Executed
The probe has revealed that the accused opened bank accounts in the names of government departments in private banks without following due procedures. These accounts were then used to carry out high-value transactions.
In several instances, payments were processed without cheques or official debit notes—relying solely on verbal instructions. Furthermore, many debit notes were cleared without verification from the concerned departments. This allowed the accused to divert government funds into shell companies using forged or unauthorized documentation, effectively masking the trail of money.
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Gold Purchases and Money Trail
Investigators told the court that a significant portion of the siphoned funds was used to purchase gold worth more than ₹200 crore. The gold was then handled through various channels to obscure its origin and ownership.
Additionally, the accused are suspected to have used the proceeds of crime to acquire movable and immovable properties. Authorities are now working to identify other individuals involved and trace the approval chain behind these transactions.
Questions Over Banking Oversight
The role of banks is also under scrutiny in this case. Investigators pointed out that several transactions were processed without proper due diligence. Documentation was not adequately verified, enabling fraudulent activities to proceed unchecked. Authorities are examining whether this was a case of negligence or if there was possible collusion by banking officials.
Investigation at a Crucial Stage
Officials stated that the investigation is currently at a critical stage, with several key aspects yet to be uncovered. These include the possible involvement of government employees, the use of fake or unstamped documents, and identifying those who authorized the transactions.
Given the complexity of the case, custodial interrogation of the accused has been deemed necessary to fully trace the money trail and identify other accomplices. The court, agreeing with these arguments, granted further remand.
