What is the IDFC First Bank Rs 590 crore fraud case?

A significant scam involving Rs. 590 crore has been revealed at the IDFC First Bank branch in Chandigarh. 

According to allegations, several bank workers at the Chandigarh branch engaged in fraudulent operations involving Rs 590 crore from accounts connected to the government of Haryana. 

An inquiry is still underway, and four bank employees have been suspended. In compliance with existing legislation, the bank said that it will take severe disciplinary, civil, and criminal action against the employees and other external parties involved. 

According to the statement, "the Bank has sent recall requests to specific beneficiary banks to lien mark balance in suspicious accounts held in these banks." The bank is currently hiring a third-party, independent organization to carry out a forensic audit.

After the bank was asked by the Haryana government to close its account and move the money to another bank, the fraud was discovered. During the process, certain differences between the amount stated and the account balance were noticed. 

Starting on February 18, 2026, some government agencies in Haryana contacted the bank about their individual accounts. Disparities between the account balances reported by the government agencies and those held with the bank were discovered during this process. 

The bank has highlighted, however, that the fraudulent actions were limited to a particular set of government-linked accounts inside the Haryana Government that were handled through the aforementioned Chandigarh branch and did not affect other Chandigarh Branch customers.

Actions taken by IDFC First Bank in Chandigarh Fraud

• Four suspected officials have been placed under suspension pending investigation. The Bank will pursue strict disciplinary, civil and criminal action against the employees and other external individuals responsible, in accordance with applicable law.
• A meeting of the Special Committee of the Board for Monitoring and Follow-up of Cases of Frauds (SCBMF) was convened on February 20, 2026 and the matter was placed before the Committee.
• The meeting of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors were convened on February 21, 2026 to apprise on the matter.
• The Bank is in the process of appointing an independent external agency to conduct an independent Forensic Audit.
• The statutory auditors have been informed.
• The Bank has filed a complaint with the Police authorities and will extend full cooperation to the investigating agencies.
• The Bank has sent recall request to certain beneficiary banks to lien mark balance in suspicious accounts held in these banks.