Times News NetworkChandigarh: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Navneet Srivastava, a senior Indian Forest Service officer, in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds from an IDFC Bank account. At the time, Srivastava was serving as CEO of the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (Crest).He was produced before a special CBI court and remanded in police custody. Investigators allege his involvement in diverting Crest funds.According to the CBI, money from three Crest accounts maintained with IDFC Bank in Chandigarh was siphoned off into multiple shell companies and converted for personal gain, causing an estimated loss of about Rs 75 crore to Crest during his tenure.Part of the diverted funds was allegedly channelled into the account of a private company where his wife and a close relative are directors.Former Crest project director Sukhwinder Singh Abrol and accountant Sahil Kukkar have also been taken into custody. Both have been chargesheeted and remain in judicial custody.CBI took over the probe from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Chandigarh.Recently, the agency filed its first chargesheet against 13 accused, including five officials of the private bank, two Crest public servants, two shell entities along with three partners/directors, and one private individual. All are currently lodged in judicial custody.
