Retired IAS officer Pradeep Kumar sent to judicial custody in HSPCB investment case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, July 2, produced retired IAS officer Pradeep Kumar, who was arrested in connection with the alleged irregular investment of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) funds, before a special CBI court in Panchkula after the completion of his two-day custodial remand. The court remanded him to judicial custody.

The agency is investigating the alleged diversion of HSPCB funds into fixed deposits with IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank in purported violation of prescribed government norms. According to the CBI, the alleged irregularities resulted in a loss of ₹169.35 crore to the Board.

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Investigators have alleged that Pradeep Kumar, who served as Member Secretary of the HSPCB before his retirement, played a significant role in processing and facilitating the investments, including the transfer of government funds to IDFC First Bank without following the prescribed procedures. The case has been registered under charges related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption.

During the two-day custodial interrogation, the CBI is learnt to have confronted the accused with banking records, digital evidence, official documents, file notings, WhatsApp conversations and other material collected during the investigation. The agency is examining the decision-making process behind the investments as well as the role of officials associated with the transactions.

Sources familiar with the investigation claimed that Pradeep Kumar denied any personal wrongdoing during questioning and told investigators that he had acted on the directions of the then HSPCB Chairman, IAS officer Vineet Garg. The sources further claimed that he maintained he had not accepted any bribe and had acted under official pressure. The CBI has not officially commented on these claims, which have not been independently verified.

After hearing the submissions of the investigating agency, the Special CBI Court remanded the accused to judicial custody. The CBI is expected to continue analysing documentary and digital evidence as part of the ongoing probe.

The case relates to the alleged irregular investment of nearly ₹170 crore during Pradeep Kumar’s tenure as Member Secretary of the HSPCB. The investigation has so far led to the arrest of three IAS officers, making it one of the most significant corruption investigations involving senior bureaucrats in Haryana in recent years.

Sources said the investigating agency is also examining the role of several serving and former officials associated with the approval, processing and execution of the disputed investments. However, no further arrests have been officially announced so far.

The investigation is continuing, and the allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny. The guilt or innocence of the accused will be determined during the course of the trial.