Chandra Shekhar was detained by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on August 21, 2023, in accordance with the provisions of the PMLA 2002, in connection with a case involving the theft of money from the Haryana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HSIIDC) and the NHAI.
On the basis of an FIR filed by the State Vigilance Bureau of Haryana and the CBI in New Delhi under different sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for criminal conspiracy, forgery, cheating, and criminal misconduct of a public official, the ED began an investigation into money laundering.
The ED investigation found that Chandra Shekhar participated actively in the fraudulent transfer of NHAI and HSIIDC funds intended for the acquisition of lands to ineligible persons, causing an unjust loss to the exchequer of approximately Rs. 38 Crore. He did this in collusion with the then-District Revenue Officer- CUM-Land Acquisition Collector & Competent Authority Land Acquisition (DRO-cum-LAC & CALA), Panchkula and others.
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that this money, which is considered the proceeds of crime, was transferred to further bank accounts before being withdrawn in cash and used to buy a variety of properties. Chandra Shekhar acted uncooperatively and lied to the ED investigators when they were conducting their probe. He was then detained on August 21, 2023, in accordance with PMLA 2002, and presented before an honourable special court (PMLA) on August 22, 2023, which authorised ED detention for seven days.
Naresh Kumar Sheokand, who was previously the DRO-cum-LAC & CALA, Panchkula, was detained by the ED on July 24, 2023; he is now in judicial detention. Additionally, 2.56 crore rupees worth of properties have been attached in this case. Further research is now being conducted.
