Haryana Nod to Probe 5 IAS Officers

Chandigarh: The Haryana government has granted sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the alleged role of five IAS officers in the ₹590-crore IDFC First Bank fraud case.

The approval was accorded under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which mandates prior sanction before initiating investigation against public servants.

With the clearance, the CBI can proceed with questioning the officers, sources said. The agency had sought permission based on disclosure statements of the accused and is expected to examine administrative approvals related to placement of government funds in private banks.

The CBI recently conducted searches at multiple locations in Chandigarh and Panchkula and seized financial records and digital evidence linked to the case.

According to officials, certain employees of IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, in alleged connivance with public servants from Haryana government departments, misappropriated government funds.

So far, 16 persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

A Haryana government spokesperson said an inquiry committee constituted in February 2026 by the Development and Panchayats Department had found irregularities in accounts operated in the two banks. Based on its findings, the case was referred to the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for investigation.

An FIR was registered on February 23 at the SV&ACB police station in Panchkula under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case was later transferred to the CBI for further probe.