IAS Officer Pardeep Kumar Seeks Anticipatory Bail in Rs 657-Crore Bank Scam
The 2011-batch IAS officer Pardeep Kumar, who is evading arrest in connection with the Rs 657-crore IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank scam, has filed an anticipatory bail application in court. In his plea, Kumar squarely blames the then chairman of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), Vineet Garg, for depositing funds with IDFC First Bank far exceeding the prescribed limit of Rs 50 crore and for ignoring other banks offering higher interest rates.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing both Kumar and Garg following an alleged Rs 169-crore fraud in HSPCB's account with IDFC First Bank, which is part of the larger Rs 657-crore banking fraud. Garg did not respond to phone calls or text messages seeking comment.
Court Issues Notice to CBI, Hearing Set for July 2
During the hearing of Kumar's anticipatory bail application on Friday, the court issued a notice to the CBI, scheduling the next hearing for July 2. Kumar claimed that as Member Secretary of HSPCB from August 31, 2022, to December 10, 2025, the surplus funds from matured fixed deposits were reinvested strictly in accordance with directions issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, on July 12, 2024.
According to Kumar, those directions stipulated that, except for small finance banks empanelled for the first time with the Haryana Government, no department should place more than Rs 50 crore with any one bank. IDFC First Bank fell under this category, meaning the Rs 50-crore cap applied.
Kumar Alleges Shift to Physical File System After Garg's Appointment
Kumar told the court that all communications and files were processed through HSPCB's e-file system. However, after Vineet Garg was appointed chairman on December 2, 2024, he ordered that files related to fixed deposit receipts (FDR) investments be shifted to a physical file system. This change was implemented on March 25, 2025.
Kumar further alleged that, on Garg's directions, a bank account of HSPCB was opened with IDFC First Bank, Sector 32, Chandigarh. He said that when Rs 143.87 crore of HSPCB funds were to be invested, he examined interest rates offered by different banks. On March 5, 2025, he proposed investing Rs 50 crore in IDFC First Bank for one year at 8.25 per cent, Rs 71.93 crore in HARCO Bank at 8.17 per cent for one year, and Rs 21.94 crore in Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank at 8 per cent for one year. He said he put up a note in the file and sent it to Garg, who approved it.
Subsequent Investments Allegedly Made on Oral Instructions Despite Cap
Kumar alleged that thereafter, on March 27, July 1, July 30, October 1, and October 23, 2025, further investments of surplus funds were made in IDFC First Bank on the then chairman's oral instructions, despite the prescribed Rs 50-crore ceiling for a first-time empanelled bank having already been exhausted under the Finance Department's policy dated July 12, 2024.
The anticipatory bail application states: "These subsequent investments, including instances where allocation in favour of IDFC First Bank was enhanced by the then chairman himself despite availability of better rates from other banks, were beyond the limits originally adhered to by the petitioner and merit objective consideration in their proper factual context."
Kumar Claims No Role Except Following Orders
Pardeep Kumar claimed that substantial investments continued to be channelled to IDFC First Bank, Sector 32, Chandigarh, despite the availability of several nationalised, government, and private banks in Panchkula, where the HSPCB head office is located. He pointed out that on certain occasions, including the proposal dated October 23, 2025, the proposed investment in IDFC First Bank was independently increased from Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 crore by the then chairman, even though another empanelled bank had offered a higher rate of return.
He added that an additional transaction of Rs 3.50 crore was also made in favour of the same branch on the then chairman's verbal directions. Kumar claimed that as Member Secretary, he had no role except to follow the instructions of his superior officer. He further claimed that even after he left the department, his successor, IAS officer Yogesh Kumar, moved an investment proposal that was revised by the then chairman on his own using the powers vested in him. Garg served as the HSPCB chairman until April 9 this year.
