Rohtak Bar body ex-chief booked for embezzlement

Rohtak: Former Rohtak Bar Association president Lokendra Phogat and former general secretary Rohit Suhag have been booked in connection with alleged financial irregularities, manipulation of records and embezzlement of over Rs 1.33 crore. The case was registered at Arya Nagar police station following directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana high court.The complaint was filed by incumbent Bar president Deepak Hooda, who has alleged serious irregularities in the association's financial transactions, tampering of official records, violation of financial procedures and misuse of large sums of money. Taking note of the allegations, the HC on Jan 16, 2026, directed the superintendent of police (SP) to take action as per prescribed norms.Hooda said after the high court's directions and guidelines issued by the Bar Council of India, a detailed probe was conducted under the supervision of a senior IPS officer. During the investigation, audit reports, bank ledgers, payment records, cheque details, bills and other financial documents were examined, both technically and factually.According to the inquiry report, several financial and administrative irregularities surfaced. Many bills were reportedly not available in serial or date-wise order, while some were prepared on plain sheets of paper. Several documents allegedly lacked signatures of both issuers and recipients. Payments were also shown in the names of persons, who were not holding any official position. The probe further found that quotation procedures for various expenditures were not followed and the deposit register was not maintained as per rules.Hooda stated that the police investigation revealed alleged embezzlement amounting to Rs 1.33 crore. Based on the findings, an FIR has been registered. Police records mention that the alleged irregularities took place between Nov 1, 2022, and Dec 31, 2023.Reacting to the development, Phogat said he was not aware of any FIR against him. He added that if any case was registered, he would obtain details and take appropriate legal action.