IDFC fraud accused's escape bid foiled, two Chandigarh cops among five arrested

Chandigarh Police arrested two personnel for allegedly helping Vikram Wadhwa attempt an escape from custody. The case adds to scrutiny around the Rs 661 crore IDFC First Bank-linked fraud probe.Investigators revealed the two policemen took him to Hotel City Hotel in Sector 17-C, where he was allegedly planning to flee.(Representational Photo)In an embarrassing development for the Chandigarh Police, two of its personnel were arrested for allegedly helping the prime accused in the Rs 661 crore IDFC Bank fraud case attempt to escape from judicial custody.The accused, Vikram Wadhwa, an undertrial lodged in Model Jail, Burail, was taken out on Monday for a medical examination at Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16.According to police, Sub-Inspector Jagmehar Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Surender, who were assigned to escort Wadhwa, did not return him to jail after the medical check-up.Instead, investigators revealed that the two policemen took him to Hotel City Hotel in Sector 17-C, where he was allegedly planning to flee. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by S.P.S. Sondhi raided the hotel and found Wadhwa along with his two sons, Karan Wadhwa (27) and Kunal Wadhwa (24).The two escorting policemen were also present at the hotel. Police said the investigation uncovered a pre-planned conspiracy in which Wadhwa and his sons allegedly induced the two police officers with undue favours to facilitate his escape from lawful custody. All five have been arrested.BACK TO JAILSenior police officers said Wadhwa was immediately taken back to Model Jail, Burail, where he remains in judicial custody in other criminal cases. He will also be formally arrested in the latest case. A criminal case has been registered against the two policemen and the other accused.WHO IS VIKRAM WADHWA?Vikram Wadhwa is a Chandigarh-based real estate developer and hotelier who owns Hotel Landmark in Sector 22.He is a key accused in the Rs 661 crore IDFC First Bank-linked fraud, which allegedly involved the embezzlement of public funds from Haryana government departments, the Chandigarh Administration, the Municipal Corporation, CREST, Chandigarh Smart City Limited and other government-linked entities.- EndsPublished By: Zafar ZaidiPublished On: Aug 5, 2026 00:53 IST