Haryana Clears CBI Probe Against 5 IAS Officers in ₹590-Crore IDFC Bank Scam

The Haryana government has authorised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the suspected involvement of five IAS officers in the alleged ₹590-crore IDFC First Bank scam , paving the way for formal questioning and further scrutiny of administrative decisions linked to the case.

The approval was granted under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act , which requires prior sanction before any probe can be initiated against serving public officials for actions taken during official duty. Sources said the CBI sought permission after statements made by the accused pointed towards the possible role of senior bureaucrats in allowing government funds to be parked in private banks.

Officials reportedly under the scanner include IAS officers Vineet Garg , Pankaj Agarwal and Mohammad Shayin . Earlier, the Haryana government had suspended Ram Kumar Singh and Pardeep Kumar in connection with the case. Investigators are examining whether lapses in oversight, administrative approvals or procedural violations enabled the alleged diversion of public money.

The case surfaced earlier this year after irregularities were detected in accounts maintained by Haryana government departments at branches of IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank . A departmental inquiry ordered by the Development and Panchayats Department reportedly uncovered discrepancies in financial transactions and account operations.

Based on the findings, the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau registered an FIR in February under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita before the investigation was transferred to the CBI.

According to investigators, bank officials allegedly worked with government employees and private individuals to siphon off public funds through forged records, fake transactions and shell entities. Former IDFC First Bank officials Ribhav Rishi and Abhay Kumar are believed to be key accused in the fraud.

The CBI recently carried out searches at several locations in Chandigarh and Panchkula, recovering financial documents and electronic evidence. So far, 16 people have been arrested in the case.