Haryana Bank Fraud Escalates: Govt Moves ₹590 Crore Scam Probe to CBI as Political Storm Deepens

The alleged scam spans accounts linked to departments across eight government bodies and 12 bank accounts, originally uncovered during routine audits. The State Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) has been investigating the matter, but given the magnitude and complexity, authorities have pressed for a more comprehensive central inquiry.

The case centers on funds from the Haryana government that were reportedly misappropriated through unauthorized transactions at the IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank branches in Chandigarh. Officials say that the discrepancies were only discovered when the government attempted to transfer funds from one account to another and found mismatched balances.

So far, over a dozen people have been arrested in connection with the fraud, including bank employees and individuals alleged to have facilitated the illicit transactions. Raids linked to the investigation have been carried out at multiple locations, and assets connected to the case are being scrutinised.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is also probing potential money‑laundering elements of the case, has conducted searches at 19 locations across Chandigarh and Haryana, further intensifying the spotlight on the scandal.

Political reactions have been swift, with the opposition demanding transparency and accountability as the probe escalates. This high‑profile financial irregularity has ignited public debate about governance, oversight, and the handling of public funds in the state.

The CBI’s involvement is expected to accelerate the investigation, bring greater forensic rigour, and potentially widen the scope of questioning to senior bureaucrats and bankers implicated in the scam. This move marks a significant escalation in one of the largest financial fraud cases in recent Haryana history.