The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought permission from the Haryana Government to investigate four IAS officers under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act in connection with the Rs 590-crore IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank scam.
Section 17A of the PC Act mandates prior government approval before initiating any inquiry or investigation against a public servant under the Act.
Sources said the CBI moved the request on the basis of disclosure statements made by the accused during the investigation. The agency is also likely to seek permission later to investigate the role of two more IAS officers in the case.
The alleged involvement of the IAS officers is linked to the opening of bank accounts in violation of the Finance Department’s guidelines. Sources indicated that the Haryana Government was likely to grant approval for the probe.
The scam came to light after government funds from multiple departments were allegedly siphoned off by bank officials and private individuals in collusion with government officers. Following the revelations, two IAS officers were suspended and four transferred in connection with the IDFC First Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank scams.
So far, four government officials have been dismissed in the case. These include Development and Panchayats Department Superintendent Naresh Kumar, Chief Accounts Officer Randhir Singh, HSAMB Controller Finance and Accounts Rajesh Sangwan and former HPGCL Director Finance Amit Dewan.
According to the investigation, mastermind Ribhav Rishi, who worked as branch manager with IDFC First Bank and later AU Small Finance Bank, allegedly orchestrated the fraud in collusion with officials.
The scam affected 12 bank accounts linked to eight Haryana departments, including the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Municipal Corporation Panchkula, Haryana Labour Welfare Board, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited and Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad.
The CBI registered an FIR in the case on April 8 after taking over the probe from the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, which had earlier registered a case on February 23.
