Chandigarh: A new controversy has emerged in the high profile rs 645 crore IDFC First Bank fraud case after Chandigarh Police alleged that a key accused attempted to escape from judicial custody with the help of two escorting police personnel.
The accused, Vikram Wadhwa, was being taken back to Model Jail, Burail, after a medical examination at the Government Multi Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16. Instead of returning directly to the jail, the escort team allegedly took him to a hotel in Sector 17, where he met his sons, police said.
Based on specific information, a police team raided the hotel and found Wadhwa along with his sons, Karan Wadhwa and Kunal Wadhwa, as well as the two escorting officers Sub-Inspector Jagmehar Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Surender. All five have been booked in connection with the alleged escape plot.
Investigators claim the two police personnel accepted illegal gratification to facilitate the unauthorised hotel visit, where Wadhwa was allegedly planning to flee custody. Authorities are now examining CCTV footage, hotel records and other evidence to determine whether anyone else assisted in the alleged conspiracy.
The latest development comes as investigators continue to probe one of the country’s biggest banking fraud cases. The alleged scam involves the diversion of nearly rs 645 crore from accounts linked to IDFC First Bank’s Chandigarh branch. According to investigators, the funds belonged to the Haryana government, the Chandigarh Administration and other institutions and were siphoned off through forged documents and fraudulent banking transactions.
Wadhwa, a Chandigarh based real estate businessman, is among the principal accused in the case. He was earlier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the alleged laundering of proceeds generated from the fraud. The ED has alleged that the money was routed through multiple entities before being invested in high value assets.
The wider investigation has already resulted in the arrest of several bank officials and other accused allegedly linked to the fraudulent transactions. Multiple agencies, including Chandigarh Police and the Enforcement Directorate, are continuing separate investigations into the banking fraud and related financial irregularities.
Meanwhile, the alleged attempt to help an undertrial evade custody has opened a fresh criminal investigation into possible corruption and misconduct within the police force. Departmental action against the two accused officers is also expected alongside the criminal proceedings.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against all the accused are yet to be tested before the courts.
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