The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested two more suspects — Priyanka and Anuj Kaushal — in connection with the Rs590 crore fraud case linked to IDFC First Bank. The arrests were made on Monday night, bringing the total number of accused held in the case to 10.
Both suspects were produced before a local court on Tuesday, where the ACB secured one-day police remand for further interrogation. On the same day, the bureau also presented two previously arrested accused — Arun Sharma and Seema Dhiman — after their three-day police remand ended. The court subsequently sent them to judicial custody.
Earlier arrests in the case include former IDFC First Bank officials Ribhav Rishi and Abhay Kumar, along with Swati Singla and Abhishek Singla, partners of Swastik Desh Project, a firm allegedly used to route the diverted government funds. Later, Naresh Kumar Bhuwani, a superintendent in the Haryana development and panchayat department, and Manish Jindal from Mohali were also taken into custody.
According to officials, the Haryana government formed a three-member committee on February 11 to investigate the matter. Following the inquiry, the ACB registered an FIR on February 23. Investigators found that several cheques and debit notes were processed using forged signatures of former director-general D.K. Behera, who had left the post in October 2025.
In one instance, a cheque was cleared by the bank even though the amount written in figures (Rs2.50 crore) did not match the amount mentioned in words, raising serious concerns over verification procedures. Investigators also discovered that Rs46.56 crore had been transferred from an IDFC First Bank account to an AU Small Finance Bank account. However, officials said supporting documents from AU Bank have not been fully provided despite repeated requests.
Preliminary findings suggest that funds were siphoned from multiple departments, including the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Corporation of Panchkula. The money was allegedly routed through Swastik Desh Project and transferred to several entities and the spouses of the accused.
Authorities have booked the suspects under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials believe that more bank employees and government staff may be involved in the conspiracy, and further arrests are likely as the investigation continues.
