Haryana has authorized the CBI to investigate the alleged role of five IAS officers in a Rs 590-crore IDFC First Bank fraud case. The approval, granted under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, enables the agency to question the officers after earlier legal barriers. The probe follows claims that government funds were diverted through fraudulent approvals into private banks like IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. CBI searches in Chandigarh and Panchkula led to seizures of financial records and digital evidence. Sixteen people have been arrested so far.
CBI carried out searches at seven locations across Chandigarh and Panchkula as part of a fraud probe involving IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. The case, handed over by the Haryana government, investigates allegations that bank officials allegedly conspired with public servants to misappropriate government funds. Authorities claim the wrongdoing was routed through jewelry showrooms and private entities, widening the inquiry into how credit and payments were potentially manipulated.
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The Central Bureau of Investigation raided multiple locations in Chandigarh and Panchkula as part of an investigation into a Haryana bank scam. The CBI said it seized financial records and digital evidence related to alleged fraud involving government funds. According to officials, certain individuals from IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank allegedly colluded with Haryana government public servants to misappropriate money using fraudulent means. The case was transferred to the CBI by the Haryana government, and searches were carried out at seven sites on May 14. Sixteen people have been arrested as the probe accelerates.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested two former IDFC First Bank employees in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to a large-scale embezzlement case. Prosecutors allege the duo helped siphon around Rs 590 crore from Haryana government funds, using ghost companies to route and erase the money, with the total case value placed at about Rs 645 crore.
IDFC First Bank CEO V Vaidyanathan says the bank’s Q4 deposit growth slowdown was intentional and temporary, with April data already showing strong momentum. He remains confident of hitting 20% annual deposit growth in FY27, while credit costs trend lower and operating expenses stay under control. The CEO also indicated no West Asia impact yet.
IDFC First Bank shares surged as much as 3.27% on Monday, April 27, hitting an intra-day high of Rs 69.43. The rally comes shortly after the bank reported a year-on-year jump in net profit of about 5%, renewing investor optimism around its recent performance and earnings momentum.
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IDFC First Bank’s Q4 FY26 showed modest profit growth of about 5%, with net interest income rising 16% to Rs 5,677 crore. The result was backed by faster loan and deposit growth and improving asset quality. Margins eased slightly, while provisions declined steadily. Even so, management expects deposits to keep building, though the stock has lagged longer-term performance.
IDFC First Bank expects no immediate rise in deposit rates after recent cuts, signaling stability on funding costs. The lender says microfinance stress is now under control while it concentrates on growth across mortgage, vehicle and consumer loans. It also plans to expand rural banking and its priority sector loan book, alongside technology and mobile app investments for future growth.
IDFC First Bank posted a modest 5% rise in Q4 net profit, supported by a 40% drop in provisions. But performance took a hit after a Rs 645-crore fraud at its Chandigarh branch. The bank fully expensed the impact in the quarter, dragging operating profit down 42% despite the improved provisioning trend.
Haryana has dismissed a Development and Panchayat Department superintendent, Naresh Bhuwani, linked to a reported Rs 590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud. The state alleges a criminal conspiracy behind fraudulent banking transactions, with government money transferred to shell companies. The action signals tightening scrutiny of public funds and financial controls as investigations continue.
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IDFC First Bank will raise INR 7,500 crore through compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) rather than issuing fresh equity. Because CCPS convert into shares at a later date, the bank postpones dilution for existing shareholders. The move highlights how financing structure can shift the timing of shareholder impact while still securing new capital.
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