The Haryana government has dismissed Randhir Singh, Chief Accounts Officer, from service in connection with the ₹590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud case. According to the dismissal order dated April 24, 2026, issued by Additional Chief Secretary Vijayendra Kumar, the action has been taken under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution after a detailed investigation into a criminal conspiracy and the emergence of substantial evidence. The order specifically reasoned that "considering the organised nature of the conspiracy, the involvement of multiple external agencies, the likelihood of witness influence, and the real risk of tampering with crucial evidence, it is apparent that holding a regular departmental inquiry is not reasonably practicable in the present case."
An inquiry committee constituted in February 2026 by the director, Development and Panchayats Department, had uncovered irregularities and discrepancies in accounts operated in IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. As reported by The Economic Times, based on the committee's report and supporting documents, the case was referred to the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) for criminal investigation. On February 23, 2026, an FIR was registered at the SV&ACB police station in Panchkula under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. On April 8, 2026, the CBI registered the FIR based on SV&ACB's case, expanding the investigation scope.
The investigation revealed that the case involved an organised, multi-layered financial fraud, in which government funds were transferred to 'shell companies' through fraudulent banking transactions. According to the dismissal order, Randhir Singh allegedly played a central and active role in the opening, operation and management of the bank account in clear violation of Finance Department instructions. The fraudulent transactions occurred in multiple installments between January 1, 2025, and February 20, 2026, with ₹54 crore fraudulently withdrawn and misappropriated from the Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad account. ₹100 crore was credited into the IDFC First Bank account on January 8, 2025, from the department's Kotak Mahindra Bank account, with the fraudulent withdrawals made to various entities linked directly or indirectly with accused persons. The investigation further revealed that crores of rupees were transferred from the firm's accounts to his personal accounts and were used to purchase private properties, including a ₹1 crore house in Mohali purchased by his wife.
Randhir Singh was arrested on March 14, 2026 by the Haryana State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau while posted as Controller (Finance & Accounts) in Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad, Panchkula. During his interrogation, he allegedly admitted to being aware of the opening and operation of departmental accounts in the said banks, having knowledge of transactions carried out therein, and having further played a role in facilitating the opening and manipulation of accounts relating to the Municipal Corporation. The dismissal order stated that he "acted as a crucial link between co-accused persons, bank officials, and other private individuals, and played an active role in coordinating and executing the fraudulent scheme, thereby demonstrating that he was not a passive participant but an integral part of a well-organised criminal conspiracy." The alleged mastermind of the scam, Ribhav Rishi, a former bank manager at IDFC First Bank, allegedly gave him a Toyota Fortuner in January 2026 as illegal gratification, while Abhay Kumar, ex-Relationship Manager at IDFC First Bank, provided flight tickets for a tour from Chandigarh to Goa for Singh and five family members.
The FIR registered by SV&ACB on February 23, 2026 included charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, fraudulent or dishonest use of forged documents, and criminal breach of trust under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The dismissal order noted that "all this establishes direct financial benefits and personal enrichment by Naresh Kumar from the alleged crime. It demonstrates the scale and magnitude of financial fraud and misuse of public funds." Based on analysis of Call Detail Records of arrested accused persons, it is evident that Randhir Singh was in constant communication with accused persons Ribhav Rishi and Abhay Kumar even after their removal from IDFC First Bank. This decision aligns with the government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, as stated by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini who issued strict directions that corruption at any level would not be tolerated.
