Haryana Government Ousts Official Over Rs 6.45 Crore Fraud Scandal

The Haryana government has taken decisive action against Naresh Kumar, a superintendent in the Development and Panchayats Department, by dismissing him from service following his arrest on April 6. This move comes in response to Kumar's involvement in a significant financial fraud case, where government funds were allegedly siphoned through shell entities and fraudulent bank transactions.

Investigations conducted by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) revealed that Kumar colluded with private individuals and bank officials, creating a shell company named "Swastik Desh Projects". This entity facilitated the transfer of funds, totaling approximately Rs 6.45 crore, into Kumar's personal accounts and those of relatives, reportedly used for acquiring personal assets.

The magnitude of the fraud and the involvement of various stakeholders prompted the Haryana Government to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Officials expressed concerns that a standard departmental inquiry could risk compromising evidence, thus necessitating a more in-depth probe by the CBI.