The Central Bureau of Investigation has stated that the Haryana State Pollution Control Board maintained no record or justification for opening an IDFC First Bank account in Chandigarh’s Sector 32 branch, from which ₹169 crore was siphoned off.The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has revealed that the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has no record explaining why an account was opened in IDFC First Bank’s Sector 32 branch, Chandigarh, from which ₹169 crore was embezzled.
The probe found that no approval from senior officers was obtained, and the matter was never escalated beyond Senior Accounts Officer Parveen Kumar. The ₹169-crore misappropriation is the single-largest fraud among eight affected Haryana government departments, with the total scam pegged at ₹657 crore.
Parveen, produced in the CBI Special Court in Panchkula on Friday, had signed the account opening form as an authorised signatory. The account was opened on February 27, 2025, when IAS officer Vineet Garg was HSPCB Chairman and former IAS officer Pardeep Kumar was Member Secretary. Pardeep was arrested on June 30, the day of his retirement.
According to investigators, Parveen forwarded the account opening file to co-accused Saurav Sharma, a Data Entry Operator. The CBI established Parveen’s knowledge of the account, noting that he has offered no explanation for its existence. During his tenure, ₹110 crore was withdrawn using cheques bearing his signature.
The agency said chequebooks were used to divert funds to shell entities including CAPCO Fintech, Swastik Desh Projects, AS Bullion Traders, Disha Traders, Bharat Solar, Mannat Contractors and SRR Planning Gurus. Investment files were also routed through Parveen, who allegedly ignored a Finance Department circular capping investments in newly empanelled banks at ₹50 crore.
The CBI alleged Parveen deliberately concealed the investment limit from his seniors, enabling excess deposits in the IDFC First Bank account. His role, the agency said, extended beyond routine duties, pointing to active participation in the conspiracy.
Seeking his custody to trace properties and gold purchased with siphoned funds, the CBI secured a three-day remand from the court.