Ranchi: The Crime Investigation Department Jharkhand has filed a chargesheet against three accused in a major ₹116-crore embezzlement case linked to the JTDCL-Energy scam, marking a significant step in the investigation.
The chargesheet names the alleged kingpin, Aradhya Sengupta alias Arnav Ganguly, along with Sameer Kumar and Arun Kumar Pandey. According to the probe, the trio used well-planned and sophisticated methods to siphon off government funds.
Investigations so far have established direct misappropriation of over ₹9 crore by the accused. The scam primarily targeted institutions like the Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation Limited and the state’s energy utility.
Officials revealed that the accused used fake letterheads, forged signatures, and fabricated official documents to execute the fraud. They allegedly opened bank accounts with names closely resembling government accounts and diverted funds into these accounts.
The CID also uncovered manipulation in fixed deposit processes. Fake or altered bank quotations were used to show higher interest rates and influence decisions. Once approvals were secured, funds were rerouted into accounts controlled by the accused instead of legitimate government accounts.
The case has been registered as Case No. 42/2024. Aradhya Sengupta has been in judicial custody since January 12, while the other two accused are currently out on bail.
Authorities believe the scam could be wider in scope, with possible involvement of officials and intermediaries connected to government departments and banks. Further investigation is underway, and more arrests are likely as the probe progresses.
With inputs from IANS