The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed two separate chargesheets in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds involving the Government of Haryana and Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL), cases that together involve an alleged loss of more than Rs 650 crore to the public exchequer.
The chargesheet in the Haryana Government case was filed before the Special CBI Court in Panchkula. Two private individuals, identified as recipients of the alleged proceeds of crime, have been chargesheeted.
This is the second chargesheet filed in the Haryana case. Earlier, the CBI had chargesheeted 15 accused, including three government officials, six bankers, two companies and four private individuals.
In a separate development, the agency filed its first chargesheet in the Chandigarh Smart City Limited case before the Special CBI Court in Chandigarh. Seven persons have been named as accused, including five bank officials, one CSCL official and one private individual.
According to the CBI, the accused have been booked under various provisions related to criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and cheating, as well as offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The investigation stems from cases transferred to the CBI from state agencies. One case, relating to alleged financial irregularities involving eight departments of the Haryana Government, was taken over from the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Haryana. Two other cases concerning Chandigarh Smart City Limited and CREST Chandigarh were transferred from the Economic Offences Police Station, Chandigarh.
The CBI said the alleged loss caused by the fraudulent transactions is estimated at Rs 504 crore in the Haryana Government case and Rs 153 crore in the Chandigarh cases.
Investigations are ongoing, and the agency indicated that additional chargesheets are likely to be filed as further evidence emerges.
