Chandigarh: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Haryana-cadre IAS officer Ram Kumar Singh in connection with an alleged embezzlement of government funds from the Municipal Corporation Panchkula account during his tenure as Commissioner.
According to the CBI, the municipal corporation’s bank account was opened at an IDFC First Bank branch in Chandigarh’s Sector 32 in alleged violation of existing Haryana government finance department guidelines. Investigators claim the account-opening documentation was structured in a manner that helped conceal subsequent fraudulent transactions.
The agency alleges that Singh, in collusion with certain bank officials, handed over several signed cheques through intermediaries under the pretext of creating fixed deposits (FDs). However, the funds were allegedly withdrawn from the account without any fixed deposits being created.
CBI investigators further claim that the withdrawn money was routed to a network of shell companies allegedly linked to bank officials. The agency has stated that the transactions were carried out with the knowledge and active involvement of the then Municipal Commissioner and a senior accounts official of the civic body.
A senior accountant connected to the case had already been arrested earlier as part of the investigation.
The CBI also conducted searches at Singh’s residences in Chandigarh and Karnal. Officials said several documents and records considered relevant to the investigation were recovered during the raids.
The agency is continuing its probe to determine the extent of the alleged financial irregularities and identify all individuals involved in the suspected diversion of public funds.
