Rs 593 bank fraud: Sangwan dismissed from service

Chandigarh: The Haryana State Agriculture and Marketing Board (HSAMB) has sacked Rajesh Sangwan, controller of finance and accounts (CFA) in the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, for his alleged involvement in the Rs 593-crore bank fraud related to the Haryana govt accounts.Justifying its action, a departmental committee, in a five-page dismissal order, elaborated on how Sangwan acted in violation of govt guidelines and rules in opening the HSAMB account in a private bank branch after being persuaded by the prime accused, Rishav Rishi.The committee also provided details of the transfer of Rs 10 crore, in two parts, into the accounts of a private builder and a private person with Sangwan's signature.The report also elaborates on how Sangwan was in touch with all the accused involved in the case. The dismissal order stated that Sangwan would also be barred from applying for any govt job in Haryana or at any other place.The tainted official was arrested by the Haryana state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau and is currently in jail. He was earlier suspended by the board following the directions of the parent department.According to the documents accessed by the TOI, the departmental probe, which has been supported by the documents and details provided by the investigating agency, established Sangwan's involvement and connivance with Rishav Rishi.Last week, the Haryana govt sacked Naresh Bhuwani, superintendent, development and panchayats department, and Randhir Singh, the chief accounts officer, Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad, for their alleged involvement in the fraud.The govt has also initiated the process to act against Vikas Kaushik, senior accounts officer and former executive of the Panchkula municipal corporation. Kaushik is currently in judicial custody. He is faced with action for his alleged involvement in the Rs 160-crore fixed deposit scam involving Panchkula municipal corporation funds.