Two female escorts who allegedly spent private time with Haryana IAS officer Pankaj Agarwal, one of six bureaucrats accused in the ₹657-crore IDFC First Bank-AU Small Finance Bank scam, are believed to have provided investigators with details that helped expose the alleged racket. A third woman, identified as the girlfriend of alleged mastermind Ribhav Rishi, also reportedly shared information about how officials were allegedly entertained with mujra parties, luxury stays and sexual favours, according to the CBI chargesheet.

Rishi's girlfriend was identified as W-1, while the two escorts were listed as W-2 and W-3 in the chargesheet. The identities of all three women have been kept confidential, with their details submitted in a sealed cover before the CBI Special Court in Panchkula.

CBI Allegations Against IAS Officer Pankaj Agarwal

The CBI has alleged that Agarwal facilitated the opening of accounts for the Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad (HSSPP) and the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB) at a particular IDFC First Bank branch in collusion with bank officials. According to the agency, this enabled the siphoning of more than ₹60 crore.

Witness W-1 Describes Alleged Mujra Parties

In her statement to the CBI, W-1 said dance parties were organised in her name at Jade Manor in Zirakpur and that she was tasked with arranging “the best mujra girls”. She alleged that “Pankaj Agarwal sir” frequently pressed Rishi to organise more parties and insisted on bringing in “fresh faces”.

According to her statement, two groups of women attended these events. One group performed dances, while another group allegedly spent private time with selected guests in rooms at the venue.

W-1 further claimed that Agarwal discussed party arrangements over WhatsApp conference calls, including the number of performers and their presentation. She also alleged that guests showered newly issued currency notes on performers and that between ₹2.5 crore and ₹3 crore was spent on such gatherings.

She told investigators that, over time, Agarwal developed a particular preference for one performer and specifically sought her presence at the events.

Escort W-2 Allegedly Received ₹75,000

According to W-2, she was once called to Chandigarh for Agarwal. After she missed her flight, she was allegedly instructed to travel by taxi. A suite was booked at Hotel Wyndham, Mohali, where, she claimed, Naresh Kumar Bhuwani, a former superintendent in the Development and Panchayats Department, posted a guard outside the room.

W-2 told investigators that she received ₹75,000 for sexual favours.

W-3 Attended Two Alleged Parties

W-3, a resident of Zirakpur, told the CBI that she attended two such parties in November and December 2025. According to her statement, she was paid between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000 on each occasion.

The chargesheet states that the women later identified Pankaj Agarwal after investigators showed them his photograph.