Education Scam – CBI Arrests Haryana IAS Officer in Fund Diversion Probe
Education Scam – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested senior Haryana IAS officer Pankaj Aggarwal in connection with an alleged financial irregularity involving government funds maintained in accounts linked to the Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad (HSSPP) and the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB). Investigators claim substantial public money was diverted through bank accounts held at IDFC First Bank’s Sector 32 branch in Chandigarh.
Second Senior Bureaucrat Arrested
Aggarwal, a 2000-batch IAS officer, becomes the second senior bureaucrat to be taken into custody in the case after the earlier arrest of IAS officer Ram Kumar Singh. At the time the accounts were opened, Aggarwal was serving as Principal Secretary in the School Education and Agriculture Departments and also held the role of Administrative Secretary for School Education.
Allegations Linked to Agricultural Board Funds
According to the CBI, nearly Rs 10 crore was allegedly withdrawn from an HSAMB account operating under the Agriculture Marketing Development Fund. Investigators allege that Rs 9.75 crore was transferred to SRR Planning Gurus Limited, while another Rs 25 lakh was routed to Mannat Contractors. Authorities claim both entities were created solely to facilitate the movement of public funds through fraudulent means.
School Education Department Also Under Scrutiny
The investigation further points to alleged financial irregularities involving the Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad. Officials estimate that more than Rs 50 crore may have been siphoned from accounts connected to the School Education Department.
The agency alleges that the accounts used in these transactions were opened during Aggarwal’s tenure despite existing Finance Department guidelines. Investigators believe the accounts later became instruments for unauthorized financial activities.
Estimated Loss to State Exchequer
CBI officials have stated that transactions conducted through the disputed accounts resulted in a financial loss of approximately Rs 60.54 crore to the Haryana government. The agency maintains that evidence gathered during the course of the investigation directly links the officer to the alleged irregularities.
Wider Banking Fraud Investigation
The arrest is considered a major development in a larger investigation concerning suspected banking fraud involving officials of IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. Investigators allege that bank personnel worked in coordination with certain government officials to divert public funds through forged fixed deposits and transactions routed via shell companies.
The broader case involves allegations that nearly Rs 504 crore was misappropriated from accounts belonging to various Haryana government departments and local civic bodies.
More Officials Under Investigation
Sources familiar with the investigation indicate that eight IAS officers have come under scrutiny in connection with the alleged scam. So far, two officers have been arrested. The remaining officials reportedly being examined include Mohd Shayin, Mani Ram Sharma, Pardeep Kumar, Vineet Garg, Saket Kumar, and D.K. Behera.
Meanwhile, Ram Kumar Singh, who was arrested earlier in relation to alleged financial irregularities connected to the Municipal Corporation, Panchkula, has been sent to judicial custody after completion of his police remand.
Multiple Charge Sheets Filed
The CBI assumed control of the investigation from the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau after a request from the state government. Investigators have already filed charge sheets against 17 accused individuals and entities. These include six banking officials from IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, three government employees, two companies, and six private individuals.
Chandigarh Cases Also Being Investigated
The agency has additionally taken over two related cases from Chandigarh involving Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) and the Centre for Research and Industrial Staff Performance (CREST).
In the CSCL matter, charge sheets have been filed against five bankers, one company official, and a private individual. In the CREST investigation, authorities have named five bankers, two officials, four private individuals, and two companies. A senior Indian Forest Service officer has also been arrested in connection with the CREST case.
Probe Continues
Investigators say efforts are ongoing to trace the movement of allegedly diverted public funds and identify all individuals who may have played a role in the transactions. While the CBI estimates the overall financial impact of the alleged scam at Rs 657 crore, the Enforcement Directorate, which is conducting a parallel investigation, has assessed the loss at approximately Rs 645 crore.