Rs 116-cr Smart City Scam: Ex-Smart City CFO Nalini Malik moves CBI court for bail, cites medical grounds

Nalini Malik, former Chief Financial Officer of Chandigarh Smart City Company Limited, has moved the CBI Court seeking bail in the alleged Rs 116-crore Smart City fund scam. Malik was arrested on April 2, 2026, by Chandigarh Police.

The case was registered on March 9, 2026, by the Economic Offences Wing of Chandigarh Police on a complaint by Municipal Corporation officials. It was later transferred to the CBI. The CBI Court has issued notice to the agency and asked it to file a reply by May 26, 2026. Police told the court that Chandigarh Smart City Ltd was merged with the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, on March 28, 2025.

Malik was part of the team deputed to hand over CSCL records to the MC.

Investigators allege that Malik, in connivance with Anubhav Mishra, an accountant in the MC office, and other officials of CSCL, MC Chandigarh and IDFC Bank, created 11 false and fabricated Fixed Deposit Receipts worth Rs 116.84 crore in favour of the Municipal Commissioner, Chandigarh.

The funds were part of the Smart City money deposited in IDFC First Bank. Police had earlier told the court that Malik received cash from the siphoned CSCL funds and was involved in the scam. She was arrested during the probe into these allegations.

In her bail plea filed through advocates Rakesh Chopra and Sharan Chopra, Malik has claimed she is falsely implicated. “She has not committed any alleged offences as claimed by the investigating agency,” the plea states.

Citing medical grounds, Malik said she requires expert medical care and attention, and sought bail on health conditions. The CBI is now probing the case and is expected to respond to the bail plea by May 26.