Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to conduct a thorough investigation into a Rs 590-crore fraud involving Haryana government accounts, as revealed by IDFC First Bank. Saini assured the Haryana Assembly that anyone found guilty, whether a government employee or a bank official, would face strict action.

Anti-Corruption Bureau Steps In

Saini stated that the ACB has been tasked with conducting an in-depth probe into the matter. A high-level committee comprising IAS officers has also been formed to examine the situation. The state government de-empanelled IDFC First Bank for government business on February 18, following the detection of discrepancies in Haryana government accounts.

“We have handed over the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and a case has been registered,” Saini told the Assembly. He emphasized that the government would not tolerate any wrongdoing, regardless of the individual involved.

The IDFC First Bank, in a regulatory filing on Sunday, disclosed that it had detected unauthorized and fraudulent activities at a Chandigarh branch involving a specific set of Haryana government accounts. The bank has also filed a police complaint and informed the Reserve Bank of India about the matter.

Fraud Details and Impact

The bank estimated the fraud to be worth Rs 590 crore, with a “reconciliation exercise” underway to determine the final amount. The discrepancy was detected when a Haryana government department requested a closure and balance transfer to another bank. During the process, inconsistencies were found between the amount mentioned and the actual balance in the account.

Similar issues were observed in other Haryana government accounts that engaged with the bank from February 18 onwards. The bank clarified that the fraud was “confined to a specific group of government-linked accounts within the Haryana Government” operated through the Chandigarh branch and does not extend to other customers of the branch.

According to the bank’s filing, the fraud involved unauthorized and fraudulent activities by certain employees at the Chandigarh branch. The bank is currently validating claims and recovering any amounts where possible to determine the final impact.

Political Reactions and Government Response

Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Hooda raised the issue in the Haryana Assembly, questioning the government’s response to the fraud. In response, Saini stated that the government had already taken action before the bank’s disclosure, de-empaneling IDFC First Bank on February 18.

“When we found discrepancies, we sought statements from the departments involved and there was a clear mismatch,” Saini told the Assembly. He added that the government is conducting a serious investigation and will not take the matter lightly.

Saini also clarified that various government departments deposit their money in banks on the panel, and this is not a new practice. He reiterated that the government would take strict action against anyone found involved in the fraud.

The ACB is currently investigating the case, with the government committed to transparency and accountability. Saini assured the Assembly that the matter would be handled thoroughly and that no one would be spared if found guilty.

The incident has raised concerns about financial integrity and accountability in the state’s government operations. The probe is expected to take several months, with potential implications for the state’s budget and public trust in government institutions.