The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out searches at six locations in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Delhi-NCR as part of its probe into an alleged Rs 661-crore fraud involving the diversion of government funds from Haryana government departments and the Chandigarh administration, officials said on Sunday.
The searches, on Friday targeted premises linked to senior Haryana cadre public servants, Noida-based Vipam Consultancy Pvt Ltd, and its director, officials said on Sunday.
The action is part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged siphoning of funds parked with IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank.
According to the agency, the alleged fraud impacted eight Haryana government departments and two Chandigarh administration entities, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST).
"During investigation evidences have surfaced suggesting that the public servants had colluded with bank officials and had facilitated in opening of accounts, transfer of funds and subsequent diversion thereof," the statement said.
The agency alleged that the public servants received undue benefits for facilitating the transactions and failing to flag irregularities.
The CBI further alleged that Vipam Consultancy Pvt Ltd received proceeds of crime in its bank account, which were later transferred to the personal account of its director.
"Incriminating documents, digital devices, property documents and other relevant material were seized during the search operations," the agency said.
The case stems from one FIR transferred from the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and two cases initially registered by the Economic Offences Wing police station in Chandigarh.
The agency said the cases pertain to alleged criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of government funds and related offences committed in connivance with bank officials and public servants.
The CBI has already filed its first chargesheet before a special court in Panchkula, detailing the alleged involvement of public servants from Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd and Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad.
The chargesheet also detailed the alleged modus operandi used to siphon off government funds parked with IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank, the agency said.
The investigation is continuing, with more chargesheets likely against other accused found involved in the case, it added.
(With inputs from PTI)
