In the multi-crore IDFC Bank fraud case, Chandigarh Police have uncovered an alleged conspiracy to help a key accused, Vikram Wadhwa, escape custody.
The accused was found staying in a hotel instead of returning to Model Jail, Burail, following a medical examination.
The police have registered a case against Sub-Inspector Jagmehar Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector Surender, Karan Wadhwa, Kunal Wadhwa and undertrial prisoner Vikram Wadhwa over the alleged escape bid.
According to the police, SI Jagmehar Singh and ASI Surender, both posted at Police Lines, Sector 26, Chandigarh, had been asked to escort the undertrial prisoner to Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH) for a medical check-up.
Police alleged that after the medical examination, instead of sending Wadhwa back to Model Jail per rules, the escorting officers took him to City Hotel, where he allegedly met his two sons.
According to the police's First Information Report, there was a pre-planned conspiracy involving Vikram Wadhwa and his sons, Karan and Kunal, to make him escape from custody.
Police alleged that the sons bribed the police officials to take Wadhwa to the hotel, from where he was allegedly planning to flee.
Acting on the intelligence input, a police team headed by senior officer SPS Sondhi conducted a raid at the hotel.
During the operation, police found Vikram Wadhwa, Karan Wadhwa, Kunal Wadhwa, SI Jagmehar Singh and ASI Surender inside the hotel.
All five have been named in the FIR.
Police are also examining the role of the hotel management, as the owner is reportedly related to Vikram Wadhwa. Investigators are scrutinising hotel records and CCTV footage to determine whether Wadhwa had stayed at the property on previous occasions and whether the management facilitated his stay.
They said the accused has been sent to jail.
Who is Vikram Wadhwa?
Vikram Wadhwa, a Chandigarh-based real estate businessman, was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in May under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to the ED, the investigation has revealed alleged embezzlement of approximately Rs 645 crore from IDFC bank accounts of the Haryana government, the Chandigarh administration and two private schools in Chandigarh and Panchkula.
The ED has alleged that Wadhwa is one of the main accused who, in connivance with Ribhav Rishi, Abhay Kumar, bank officials and government officials, siphoned off public funds.
Vikram Wadhwa, a prominent Chandigarh-based real estate developer and prime accused in the multi-crore IDFC First Bank fund diversion fraud, was caught in a hotel in Sector 17, Chandigarh, after allegedly bribing police personnel to help him escape custody.
Key Details of the Incident
Medical Outing Turned Escape Plan: Wadhwa, who was in judicial custody at the Model Jail in Burail, was brought out to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, for a medical examination.
Detour to Hotel: Instead of taking him directly back to jail after the checkup, the escort team—consisting of Sub-Inspector Jagmehar Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Surender—took Wadhwa to Hotel City Hotel in Sector 17-C.
The Raid: Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) S.P.S. Sondhi raided the hotel.
They found Wadhwa lounging inside, having a meal with his two sons, Karan Wadhwa (27) and Kunal Wadhwa (24), alongside the two escorting police officers. Alleged Conspiracy: Investigators allege that Wadhwa and his sons lured the police officers with undue favors to arrange a venue where they could execute a plan for Wadhwa to flee from custody.
Actions Taken & Current Status
Five Arrests: All five individuals—Vikram Wadhwa, his two sons, and the two Chandigarh Police officers—were arrested on the spot.
Legal Charges: A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act along with several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) covering disobedience by a public servant, criminal conspiracy, and negligent escape/resisting arrest.
Back to Jail: Wadhwa was immediately remanded back to Model Jail, Burail, and formally arrested under the fresh case.
Case Background
Vikram Wadhwa is a key figure in the high-profile IDFC First Bank fraud case (investigated by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate) involving the alleged embezzlement and laundering of around ₹600+ crore in government funds across Haryana departments, the Chandigarh Administration, and Chandigarh Smart City Limited.
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