IAS Officer Pardeep Kumar Arrested on Retirement Day in ₹657-Crore Bank Scam

IAS Officer Pardeep Kumar Arrested on Retirement Day in ₹657-Crore Bank Scam

In a major development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested Haryana cadre IAS officer Pardeep Kumar on the very day of his retirement in connection with the alleged ₹657-crore IDFC First Bank–AU Small Finance Bank scam.

According to the CBI, the investigation pertains to the alleged misappropriation of public funds during Kumar's tenure as the Member Secretary of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). Investigators claim that nearly ₹169 crore, which had been earmarked for investment in fixed deposits, was illegally diverted, causing significant financial losses to the state exchequer.

The agency alleges that the funds were fraudulently routed as part of a larger banking scam involving IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. Officials also stated that Kumar had been avoiding the investigation and was not cooperating with the probe despite repeated notices.

Following his arrest, the CBI is expected to question Kumar further to determine the extent of his alleged involvement and identify other officials or individuals who may have played a role in the scam. The agency is also examining financial records, banking transactions, and official documents to trace the flow of funds.

The case has drawn widespread attention due to the magnitude of the alleged fraud and the timing of Kumar's arrest, which came on the day he was scheduled to retire from government service. The investigation remains ongoing, and the CBI has indicated that further action may follow as more evidence emerges.