CBI chargesheet flags ‘benefits’ to six Haryana IAS officers

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Third chargesheet names 19 accused in Rs 504-crore government funds case involving IDFC First and AU Banks

Panchkula, September 25

The CBI has levelled a series of allegations against six Haryana-cadre IAS officers in its third chargesheet in the alleged Rs 504-crore government funds case involving IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, including claims of rule violations, questionable investments and the alleged receipt of undue benefits. The chargesheet names 19 accused, including IAS officers Pankaj Agarwal, Ram Kumar Singh, Saket Kumar, Vineet Garg, Pardeep Kumar and Mohammad Shayin. The chargesheet also names three IDFC First Bank officials, an AU Small Finance Bank official and nine other Haryana Government officials.

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), government funds belonging to eight departments and organisations were allegedly shifted from empanelled banks to selected branches of the two private banks in the violation of prescribed financial safeguards. The agency has alleged that the funds were subsequently diverted through fraudulent transactions and routed through third parties. The chargesheet contains separate allegations against the six IAS officers.

In Pankaj Agarwal’s case, the CBI alleges that former IDFC First Bank official Ribhav Rishi arranged hospitality and other benefits for him, including four private dance parties at a Zirakpur hotel between November 2025 and January 2026. The agency has also referred to alleged hotel stays and arrangements involving women.

Saket Kumar has been accused of approving bank account proposals without following the prescribed process. The chargesheet also refers to his alleged association with a WhatsApp group comprising IDFC First Bank officials and an alleged plan involving Rs 25 crore from the HPGCL Pension Fund Trust.

The agency has alleged that Vineet Garg, then chairman of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, was involved in investment decisions that favoured IDFC First Bank. It has also investigated allegations that two 50-gram gold coins were delivered to his residence through Ribhav Rishi.

Ram Kumar Singh, then Commissioner of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation, has been accused of allegedly receiving Rs 50 lakh at his residence and Rs 2 crore being transferred to his son in Delhi in three instalments. The chargesheet also refers to alleged irregularities in fixed-deposit decisions.

Mohammad Shayin, then associated with HPGCL, has been accused of facilitating investments with IDFC First Bank. The CBI has cited alleged hotel and restaurant expenses of around Rs 3.67 lakh paid by Ribhav Rishi.

Pardeep Kumar, then Member Secretary of the Haryana Pollution Control Board, has been accused of manipulating investment comparisons to favour IDFC First Bank. The chargesheet alleges that an AU Small Finance Bank interest rate of 8.45 percent was shown as 8.25 percent.

The allegations form part of the CBI’s ongoing investigation and have not been established in court. With the latest filing, the number of accused chargesheeted in the case has risen to 37.