Fresh trouble for P’kula ex-DRO

Hina Rohtaki

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 29

In fresh trouble for former Panchkula District Revenue Officer (DRO) Naresh Sheokand, who was booked by the State Vigilance Bureau for siphoning off over Rs 47 crore, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will also probe the case now.

The ED has sought details from the State Vigilance Bureau under Section 54 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. In a communique to the State Vigilance Department, the ED stated that there could be suspected proceeds of crime (property generated from crime money) and sought a copy of the FIR and details related to the case. An official of the ED confirmed the development.

“Last evening, we got a missive from the ED asking us for details under Section 54 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act,” said a senior Vigilance Bureau officer.

The State Vigilance Bureau had registered a case against the then DRO and a senior manager of Punjab National Bank based at Jangpura, Delhi, for alleged misappropriation of government funds meant for compensation in lieu of land acquisition. It was alleged that Rs 47 crore was siphoned off from the bank account of the National Highways Authority of India.The money was siphoned off by the DRO in connivance with bank officials and other individuals, whose role is being investigated. The investigation of the case has been entrusted to a special investigation team (SIT), headed by Rajender Kumar, DIG, Vigilance.

A sum of Rs 250 crore was also diverted illegally in March 2013, which was returned after about a month without interest. The investigation revealed that the money was transferred to 17 bank accounts of persons not connected with the land acquisition in any way.