On July 24, 2023, Naresh Kumar Sheokand was taken into custody by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Chandigarh in accordance with the provisions of the PMLA 2002 in the matter of the theft of money from the NHAI and HSIIDC.
On the basis of an FIR filed by the State Vigilance Bureau of Haryana and the CBI in New Delhi under various sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and criminal misconduct of a public servant, the ED opened a money laundering investigation against Naresh Kumar Sheokand and others.
The ED investigation found that Naresh Kumar Sheokand, the former DRO-cum-LAC & CALA, Panchkula, had fraudulently transferred NHAI and HSIIDC funds intended for the acquisition of lands to ineligible persons, causing an estimated Rs. 38 Crore loss to the exchequer.
Further investigation by the ED discovered that this money, which is considered the proceeds of crime, was transferred to further bank accounts before being withdrawn in cash and used to buy a variety of properties.
Naresh Kumar Sheokand acted uncooperatively throughout the inquiry, hiding crucial details and deceiving investigators. He was therefore detained in accordance with PMLA 2002. On July 25, 2023, he appeared before a Special PMLA Court, which granted him ED detention for five days. In this case, properties worth Rs. 2.56 crore were previously attached. Further research is now being conducted.
