The Haryana government has given permission to the CBI to probe the alleged involvement of five IAS officers in the Rs 590-crore IDFC First Bank fraud case.
The approval has been granted under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). Under this section, no police officer can carry out any inquiry or investigation into offences alleged against a public servant without prior approval of the competent authority.
With this approval, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can now call the officers for questioning, sources said. They added that the CBI had sought permission to proceed against the IAS officers based on disclosure statements of the accused. Investigating officers may also examine administrative approvals that allowed government funds to be deposited in private banks.
The CBI carried out searches at multiple locations in Chandigarh and Panchkula on Thursday linked to the bank fraud case. It seized financial records and digital evidence linked to the alleged scam.
Officials said employees of IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, in connivance with public servants from various Haryana government departments, allegedly misused government funds through fraudulent means.
So far, 16 accused have been apprehended in the case.
A Haryana government spokesperson recently stated that an inquiry committee formed in February 2026 by the Director, Development and Panchayats Department, found irregularities and discrepancies in accounts operated in IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank.
Based on the committee’s report and supporting documents, the case was referred to the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) for criminal investigation.
Later, on February 23, an FIR was registered at the SV&ACB police station in Panchkula under various sections of the PCA and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The matter was later handed over to the CBI.
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