Two officials siphon crores in Haryana; case registered

Haryana's state vigilance bureau (SVB) on Wednesday said it has registered a case against two officials, including a bank manager, for siphoning off crores of rupees from government funds which were meant for land acquisition.

A bureau spokesman said the criminal case was registered against Naresh Kumar Sheokand, former District Revenue Officer of Panchkula, for misappropriating government funds meant for award of land acquisition.

"Bhim Singh, senior manager of Punjab National Bank, Jangpura in New Delhi (now posted at Palwal), who actively conspired in illegal diversion of these funds also figures in the FIR lodged at Panchkula unit of SVB," the spokesman said here.

"Through a detailed web of multiple accounts opened without authority, the duo siphoned off Rs.47 crore of government money from NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) account alone."

"Besides, embezzlement of Rs.45 crore of funds related to Administrator-Haryana Urban Development Authority, Rohtak, was also found," he said.

"The money was transferred to multiple accounts of private persons not connected in any way with land acquisition. A sum of Rs.250 crore was also diverted illegally in March 2013, which was returned after about a month. The investigation has been entrusted to a Special Investigation Team, headed by DIG vigilance Rajender Kumar," he added.

The case has been registered following directions from the state government after vigilance inquiry in the matter.