CREST Project Director Arrested in ₹83.04 Crore Embezzlement Case; Five-Day Police Remand Granted
Babushahi Network Bureau
Chandigarh, March 29, 2026 — The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Chandigarh Police has achieved a major breakthrough in a multi-crore financial fraud involving the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST). Officials have arrested CREST Project Director Sukhwinder Abrol for his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of ₹83.04 crore from the government exchequer. Following the arrest, a local court has sent Abrol to five days of police remand for further interrogation.
The Mechanism of the Fraud
Investigation into the scam revealed that government funds were systematically diverted into the bank accounts of various "shell companies". The police probe indicates that Abrol allegedly conspired with officials from IDFC First Bank to carry out the fraud.
Key details of the investigation include:
-
Bank Involvement: Three bank officials—Abhay Kumar, Seema Dhiman, and Ribhav Rishi—have been identified as primary players in the scheme.
-
Diversion of Funds: The accused reportedly withdrew money from the official CREST bank accounts and transferred it into fraudulent shell company accounts.
-
Scale of Embezzlement: Total misappropriated funds are estimated at ₹83.04 crore.
The Chandigarh Police continues to investigate the depth of the conspiracy, as they believe a fraud of this magnitude could not have been executed by a single individual.