HSVP multi-core scam: Former MLA Surjakhera, ex-official diverted Rs 100 cr: ED

Revealing the modus operandi of ex-MLA Ramniwas Surjakhera and his associates in defrauding Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), the Enforcement Directorate has told a special court in Panchkula that he, while working as an accountant before joining politics, fraudulently opened HSVP accounts in Punjab National Bank, Manimajra, to siphon off close to “Rs 100 crore.”

HSVP had got registered an FIR at Sector 7 police station in Panchkula in March 2023, claiming that from 2015-19, multicrore debit transactions were made in favour of certain parties without any reason. An internal inquiry of HSVP found that the Manimajra bank’s transactions were not reflected in the records of its cash branch or IT wing, indicating that the accounts were operated fraudulently.

The ED registered a case in October 2023. It found that from 2015 to 2019, the period during which the scam took place, Ramniwas had served as accounts assistant till 2017, and Sunil Kumar Bansal served as senior accounts officer till 2019.

A branch head of IDBI, Lohgarh (Yamunanagar), had recorded his statement before ED that Ramniwas and Bansal came to his residence to facilitate the opening of several bank accounts, on the explicit condition that large sums of cash would be withdrawn from these accounts held in the names of various individuals. He said they would make phone calls to him before credits were made to these accounts from HSVP (erstwhile HUDA) accounts, and again after the credits, to confirm that the amounts were successfully deposited. Following this, both accused would direct him over phone calls to arrange for cash withdrawals from these accounts.

During a hearing before the Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Panchkula, ED, represented by counsels HPS Verma and Zoheb Hossain, submitted that during the relevant period (2015-19), “more than Rs 100 crore was withdrawn in cash from this branch.”

ED further told the court that several beneficiaries who had fraudulently received funds admitted that, while visiting the HSVP office to claim compensation for land acquired, they came into contact with Ramniwas. He offered to assist them in securing their compensation and, in return, asked them to provide details of bank accounts held in their names or those of their family members.

“He (Ramniwas) informed them that funds from HSVP, different from their actual compensation amount, would be credited to these accounts and that the funds would either be returned in cash or transferred further as instructed by him,” ED claimed.

These people told ED that the amounts were withdrawn and were handed over to Ramniwas and Bansal.

Investigation into the money trail revealed that ex-MLA Ramniwas not only received proceeds of crime in his bank accounts but also in the accounts of his family members, including his wife, Manjit. ED further claimed that a Toyota Fortuner was purchased using the money and was subsequently transferred into ex-MLA’s name without any legitimate consideration. Ramniwas was arrested on June 9 in the case. The court rejected his bail application today.

Meanwhile, according to the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Bansal used the withdrawn money to buy a house in Sector 7, Panchkula, worth Rs 3.07 crore and later sold it for Rs 7 crore. A plot was purchased in Sector 6, Panchkula, for Rs 2.40 crore, and he had so far spent Rs 1.5 crore on the construction of a residence there. Two SCOs of over Rs 1.5 crore were bought in Barwala (Panchkula) in an auction, and a house was purchased in Sector 6, Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula, for Rs 1.33 crore.

Besides buying two plots in Derabassi of 1,000 sq yard and 2,600 sq yard, Bansal owns 16 flats in Krishna Enclave, Derabassi, of 62 sq yard each from the proceeds of the crime, claimed the investigation agency.

Bail of Surjakhera rejected

In the case of ex-MLA from Narwana, Ramniwas Surjakhera, the Special Court said, “In the face of very serious allegations of money laundering, it is not possible, at this stage, to grant concession of bail to the applicant-accused either on merit or on the ground of alleged violation of fundamental rights of the accused.”