Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Jun 7: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday conducted searches at six locations across Chandigarh, Panchkula and the Delhi-NCR region in connection with an alleged Rs 661-crore misappropriation of government funds involving officials, private entities and bank personnel.

The searches were carried out at premises linked to senior Haryana government officials, Noida-based Vipam Consultancy Private Limited and its director as part of an ongoing probe into the alleged diversion of public funds.

According to the CBI, the fraud involved the illegal opening of bank accounts, transfer of government funds and subsequent diversion of the money for personal gains through a conspiracy involving public servants and bank officials.

The agency said the alleged scam affected eight departments of the Haryana government as well as two Chandigarh Union Territory entities — the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society.

Investigators alleged that government funds were systematically siphoned off through a well-planned network involving officials and employees linked to IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank.

During the searches, CBI officials seized several incriminating documents, digital devices and records related to properties and financial transactions.

The agency also claimed to have uncovered evidence indicating that Vipam Consultancy received proceeds of the alleged crime, which were subsequently transferred to the personal bank account of its director.

The CBI has already filed its first chargesheet before the Special CBI Court in Panchkula. The chargesheet details the alleged involvement of officials from Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited and Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad.

Officials said the investigation is continuing and additional chargesheets are expected as more details emerge in the case.