The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken major action in the much talked about IDFC First Bank fund scam that came to light in Haryana. The agency has arrested senior IAS officer Pankaj Aggarwal. It is alleged that during his tenure, government money worth crores of rupees was misused through the accounts of government departments. CBI has made preparations to arrest him and present him in court.
What is the whole matter?
According to CBI, the case pertains to the accounts of Haryana School Education Project Council (HSSPP) and Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB). These accounts were opened in IDFC First Bank branch located in Sector-32, Chandigarh. Investigation revealed that these accounts were opened in violation of the guidelines of the Finance Department and later government money was transferred into them in excess of the prescribed limit. At that time Pankaj Aggarwal was working on the post of Principal Secretary in the concerned departments.
The government suffered a loss of more than Rs 60 crore
CBI claims that government funds were embezzled through fake and suspicious transactions in these accounts. Investigation revealed that the government suffered a loss of about Rs 60.54 crore. The agency said that during the investigation, many important evidences have been found against Pankaj Aggarwal, on the basis of which he has been arrested.
Case related to big scam of Rs 504 crore
According to the investigating agencies, this matter is not limited to only Rs 60 crore. This is part of a larger scam involving eight government departments of Haryana, in which an amount of about Rs 504 crore was allegedly siphoned off through shell companies and shell entities. Till now CBI has filed charge sheet against 17 accused in this case. These include bank officers, government employees, private companies and other individuals.
Arrests have already been made
Earlier in this matter, senior IAS officer R.K. Singh has also been arrested. Apart from this, CBI is also investigating the cases related to Chandigarh Smart City and CREST, in which action has been taken against many bank officials and government employees.
What did CBI say?
CBI has said that it is committed to bringing all those responsible for misuse of government funds to justice. The agency aims to trace the trail of the entire embezzled money and bring the culprits to justice.
Also read- Action in IDFC First Bank scam case, investigation of 5 IAS officers in Rs 590 crore scam; Haryana government gave green signal
