CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHII, JUNE 12: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed two separate chargesheets in connection with the alleged misappropriation of government funds routed through IDFC FIRST Bank, involving the Haryana Government and Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL), in cases collectively causing a loss of nearly ₹657 crore to the public exchequer.
According to the CBI, the chargesheet related to the Haryana Government fund diversion case has been filed before the Special CBI Court in Panchkula. Two private individuals, identified as beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime, have been chargesheeted in the latest filing. This is the second chargesheet in the case.
The agency had earlier chargesheeted 15 accused, including three government officials, six bankers, two companies and four private individuals.
The alleged fraud pertains to the diversion of funds belonging to eight departments of the Haryana Government.
In a separate development, the CBI filed its first chargesheet in the Chandigarh Smart City Limited case before the Special CBI Court in Chandigarh.
Seven accused have been named, including five bank officials, one CSCL official and a private individual.
The chargesheets invoke offences related to criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, cheating and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI had taken over the Haryana case from the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, while the Chandigarh-related cases were transferred from the Economic Offences Police Station, Chandigarh.
The investigations pertain to alleged fraudulent transactions involving Chandigarh Smart City Limited and CREST Chandigarh.
Investigators estimate that the Haryana Government suffered a loss of ₹504 crore, while the Chandigarh Union Territory incurred losses of ₹153 crore, taking the total alleged scam amount to ₹657 crore.
The agency said investigations are continuing and indicated that more chargesheets are likely to be filed as the probe progresses.
Emphasising its commitment to accountability, the CBI said it is conducting a fair, thorough and time-bound investigation to bring all those responsible to justice.
