CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has decided to recommend a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the alleged Rs-590-crore scam case involving two private sector banks.
Sources said that the state government has decided to recommend an inquiry by the central agency due to the magnitude and gravity of the scam, as the apex federal agency can investigate economic offences and financial crimes.
The government has made a reference under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, granting its consent to extend the power and jurisdiction of the CBI to Haryana for the investigation of the case to the Department of Personnel and Training of the Central Government.
Sources said that funds deposited by various agencies of the Haryana government in IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank were allegedly misappropriated or embezzled by erstwhile and serving employees of the banks. Several state government officials, private individuals, and former and serving bank employees were arrested and are being investigated in the case.
Sources added that the scam involved funds from eight government departments across 12 accounts in Haryana.
Of the 12 accounts, ten were in IDFC First Bank, and two were in AU Small Finance Bank. The funds deposited by various Haryana government agencies, meant to be placed in fixed deposits, were found to have been allegedly diverted by bank officials in collusion with government employees and private individuals for personal financial gain. The funds have since been returned to the state government.
Currently, the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) is investigating the case, and 15 people have been arrested so far.
The FIRs was registered on February 23 by ACB against former employees of IDFC First bank under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and under Section 316(5) (criminal breach of trust by a banker or agent); Section 318(4) (cheating); Sections 336(3), 338, and 340(2) (forgery and using forged documents); and Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Sources claimed that the names of some IAS officers, who were posted in government departments that deposited public funds into the two banks, are now under scanner.
The Enforcement Directorate is also investigating the alleged scam and has conducted raids at 19 locations. Earlier, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini handed over the probe to the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Police has also been investigating the case in connection with the siphoning off of funds of the Chandigarh Administration.
The prime accused created several fake firms and companies to illegally divert government funds into multiple bank accounts, said sources as per the probe.