Searches Carried Out at Five Locations in Chandigarh and Ludhiana; Probe Targets Alleged Diversion of Municipal Corporation and Smart City Funds
New Delhi/Chandigarh, July 23: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted coordinated searches at multiple locations in Chandigarh and Ludhiana in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds from IDFC First Bank accounts of Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) and the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh.
According to an official CBI press release, the searches were carried out at five locations, including the residences, business establishments and other premises of suspected beneficiaries linked to the alleged diversion of public funds. Among those searched was public servant Abhay Mishra of CSCL, along with private individuals and entities connected to the investigation.
During the operation, the CBI recovered and seized several incriminating documents and articles, including digital storage devices, digital signatures, property-related records, financial documents, electronic devices and other evidence considered relevant to the ongoing probe. The agency said the seized material is being thoroughly examined and analysed.
The CBI recalled that it had taken over the investigation from the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Haryana, at the request of the Haryana Government. The case relates to the alleged ₹504 crore fraud, in which funds belonging to eight departments of the Haryana Government were allegedly siphoned off through fake fixed deposits, fraudulent debit transactions and shell entities.
The investigating agency has so far filed 17 charge sheets in the Haryana case against bank officials of IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, three government servants of Haryana, two companies and six private individuals.
The CBI further stated that it has also taken over two additional cases from the Union Territory of Chandigarh, relating to Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL), the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, and the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST).
In the CSCL case, the agency has already filed a charge sheet against five bankers, one CSCL official and one private individual, while in the CREST case, charge sheets have been filed against five bankers, two CREST officials, four private individuals and two companies.
The CBI reiterated its commitment to bringing all those responsible to justice and ensuring that the complete trail of the allegedly misappropriated public funds is identified and the proceeds of crime are effectively traced.
