The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told a special court in Panchkula that a WhatsApp group named ‘Sukoon’ was allegedly used to coordinate activities linked to an ₹818.96-crore bank fraud involving IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank.
According to a supplementary chargesheet submitted by the agency, investigators recovered digital data from the group along with mobile imaging records and forensic voice-analysis material. The CBI alleges that the group connected bank employees, private intermediaries and officials associated with Haryana government departments.
The communications reportedly discussed the movement of government funds, fixed deposit receipts, cheque clearances, commissions and other financial transactions. The allegations and evidence submitted by the CBI remain subject to judicial examination.
CBI Alleges Verification Procedures Were Bypassed
According to the chargesheet, discussions in the group related to the transfer of substantial deposits belonging to government bodies, including a municipal corporation and a labour welfare board, into accounts maintained with IDFC First Bank.
The agency alleges that outdated interest-rate documents were used in connection with some fixed deposits and that certain payment instruments were processed without the verification procedures normally required for large institutional accounts.
The CBI has also alleged that the Positive Pay System was deliberately kept inactive in certain transactions, which investigators say could have prevented verification alerts from reaching the bank's central systems.
The court will determine the evidentiary value of the digital communications and other material presented by the agency.
Allegations of Fake FDRs and Questioned Transactions
The supplementary chargesheet also refers to communications concerning the preparation of physical fixed deposit receipts after government departments sought original documents.
The CBI alleges that templates and official-looking seals were used to create documents that appeared authentic. Investigators also cited an audio recording in which individuals allegedly discussed the use of forged signatures in connection with an RTGS transaction involving Swastik Desh Projects.
The agency further alleges that discussions within the group covered commission payments, cash deliveries and the conversion of some proceeds into gold. References to travel arrangements and hotel bookings were also reportedly found in the recovered communications.
Forensic Voice Analysis Examined Officials' Recordings
Forensic voice analysis forms another part of the supplementary chargesheet. The CBI says voice samples from certain serving and former government officials were compared with recordings recovered during the investigation.
The agency reported that audio associated with then commissioner and secretary Pankaj Aggarwal was examined in connection with conversations involving bank officials and an alleged intermediary. Recordings linked to then Panchkula Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ram Kumar Singh were also examined over alleged transactions involving municipal funds.
The chargesheet additionally refers to audio connected with Pradeep Kumar, then Member Secretary of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, concerning alleged unauthorised banking arrangements.
The CBI said further examination remains pending for some subsequently seized mobile phones, encrypted chat backups and recovered audio files. Additional findings may therefore be included in a future supplementary chargesheet.
Investigation Into Haryana Government Fund Transfers Continues
The case forms part of a wider CBI investigation into alleged irregularities involving Haryana government funds maintained with IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. Earlier CBI chargesheets have also examined alleged procedural violations, fund transfers and the roles of government and bank officials.
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The allegations described in the chargesheet have not been finally adjudicated, and the accused are entitled to due process as the judicial proceedings continue.