Arrest in government funds diversion case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested senior IAS officer Pankaj Agarwal in Haryana in connection with an alleged financial fraud involving government funds. The arrest relates to the suspected embezzlement of Rs 60.54 crore from state government accounts maintained with IDFC First Bank.
Allegations tied to bank accounts and fake beneficiaries
According to the complaint, government department accounts in Haryana—including those under the Chandigarh administration—were maintained with IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. A larger allegation of irregularities involving Rs 661 crore from these accounts has been reported, with funds allegedly moved into multiple fake accounts.
Probe moved from state agencies to CBI
The case was initially investigated by Haryana’s anti-corruption wing and the economic offences police. It was later transferred to the CBI, which has already arrested several people, including a former IDFC bank official, as the probe widened.
Role attributed to the IAS officer
Agarwal, a 2000-batch Haryana-cadre IAS officer, served as Principal Secretary, School Education from December 10, 2024 to June 16, 2025, and later as Secretary, Agriculture from June 20 to March 24 this year. Investigators said accounts were opened at the bank’s Chandigarh Sector 32 branch in violation of state government orders, and fund transfers allegedly exceeded permitted limits during his tenure, leading to his arrest.
