CBI Intensifies Probe Into ₹661-Crore Diversion of Haryana, Chandigarh Government Funds

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at six locations in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Delhi-NCR as part of its probe into an alleged ₹661-crore fraud involving the diversion of government funds from departments of the Haryana government and the Chandigarh administration.

The raids targeted premises linked to senior Haryana cadre public servants and Vipam Consultancy Pvt Ltd , a Noida-based firm, along with its director. The agency is investigating the alleged siphoning of funds parked with IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank .

According to the CBI, the fraud affected eight Haryana government departments and two Chandigarh administration bodies the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) . Investigators allege that public servants colluded with bank officials to open accounts, transfer government funds and divert them to unauthorised beneficiaries.

The agency claims some officials received undue benefits for facilitating the transactions and ignoring irregularities. It has also alleged that proceeds of crime were routed through Vipam Consultancy Pvt Ltd before being transferred to the personal account of its director.

During the searches, the CBI seized documents, digital devices and property records. The probe originates from one case transferred from the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and two cases registered by Chandigarh Police's Economic Offences Wing.

The agency has already filed its first chargesheet before a special court in Panchkula, detailing the alleged role of officials from Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd and Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad . The chargesheet outlines the alleged modus operandi used to siphon off public funds.

The investigation is ongoing, with the CBI indicating that additional chargesheets may be filed against other accused. The case has raised concerns over financial oversight, banking safeguards and accountability in the management of public funds.