Chandigarh | April 10, 2026 — In a major move against bureaucratic corruption, the Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana government has placed two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers under immediate suspension. The action follows a massive banking scam involving the alleged embezzlement of over ₹590 crore in government funds.
The state government has officially recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the multi-crore fraud, which has sent shockwaves through the state’s administrative circles.
The Officers Under Fire
The suspension orders, issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, target two promoted IAS officers:
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Shri Pradeep Kumar (2011 Batch): Currently serving as the Director of State Transport and Special Secretary in the Transport Department.
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Shri Ram Kumar Singh (2012 Batch): Currently serving as the Special Secretary in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, with additional charge as the Additional CEO of the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority.
Both officers have been suspended under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. During their suspension period, they are required to report to the Chief Secretary’s office in Chandigarh and are prohibited from leaving the headquarters without prior permission.
The ₹590-Crore “Fixed Deposit” Scam
The case centers on the alleged misappropriation of government funds meant for fixed deposits in private sector banks, including IDFC First and AU Small Finance Bank. Investigations suggest that hundreds of crores were diverted into unauthorized accounts through a network of shell companies and forged documents.
The scrutiny primarily covers the period between 2022 and early 2026:
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Ram Kumar Singh is being examined for his tenure as the Municipal Commissioner of Panchkula (July 2025 – Jan 2026).
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Pradeep Kumar is under the scanner for transactions made during his stint as the Member Secretary of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board.
Government Stance
The Saini administration’s decision to involve the CBI follows initial findings by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the latter having already frozen nearly 90 bank accounts related to the case.
Official sources indicate that the suspension is a “zero-tolerance” message from the Chief Minister’s Office regarding financial irregularities. More senior officials and bank employees are expected to be questioned as the CBI takes over the formal investigation this week.
