Bank fraud: Haryana govt indicates more action against guilty officials

Chandigarh: A day after suspension of two senior IAS officers – R K Singh and Pardeep Kumar – the Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday gave a clear indication of putting more such officials in the firing line after their guilt comes to fore.Interacting with the mediapersons here on Friday, Saini said govt was working on a zero-tolerance policy and remained accountable to the public. He said a bank-related matter was under investigation and had been handed over to the CBI, and govt would act accordingly as and when more officials were found to be involved.Saini was responding to queries related to stripping more bureaucrats of their heavy portfolios during the transfer and postings.The CM also elaborated on how the govt managed to get back the money from the banks and intensified the investigations.According to information, six more bureaucrats, including IAS and HCS officers, are under the scanner for their role in handling or opening accounts at IDFC First Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank.The role of three former members of the Panchkula municipal corporation is also being probed, in addition to looking out for the builder who is learnt to have gone missing with his family.The issue relates to the incident of fraud and financial embezzlement worth Rs 593 crore and Rs 160 crore related to Haryana's boards, govt departments and Panchkula MC by officials and private persons linked to the IDFC First Bank and the Kotak Mahindra Bank.The two frauds were investigated by the Haryana state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau. On Thursday, the CBI took over the probe of IDFC Bank and registered two fresh cases. So far, the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has arrested 15 persons in the case.Even though the case related to Kotak Mahindra Bank is still with the ACB, the Directorate of Enforcement has started investigations into the matter. Around half a dozen people have been arrested in the case so far.MSID:: 130171307 413 |