The Haryana government has denied prosecution permission against IAS officer of 2001-batch, Vijay Singh Dahiya, which practically stops the graft case of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) despite his arrest and detention of 49 days in judicial custody in 2023. The decision, announced on January 10, 2026, just days after Dahiya was made Principal Secretary (Level 15), is accused of executive overreach and protectionism and (ACB) of sabotage of procedures. In the absence of prosecution under Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) Section 17A, no chargesheet will be made, bringing to an end the case against 10 claimed 5 lakh bribery in skill development funds.

Background of the Case: Skills Fraud.

On April 20, 2023, ACB filed FIR against Dahiya, who was of that time Administrative Secretary, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Deepak Sharma (Chief Skills officer, contractual), and Poonam Chopra of Delhi. Complaining Rinku Manchanda (Fatehabad Gramin Shiksha Institute) claimed 50 lakh overdue dues under Haryana Skill Development Mission.

Sharma was supposed to require 5 lakh rupees in speed money; Chopra wanted 5 per cent cut with Dahiya. Manchanda had paid 2 lakh of rupee to Chopra; she was caught in the trap by ACB and Sharma/Dahiya was arrested on October 10, 2023. Dahiya bailed November 28. The WhatsApp screenshot of Dahiya allegedly used by Chopra cleared files after bribing.

Rejection Rationale of government.

ACB was under sanction by July 10, 2024 (reminder Jan/Aug 2025); government denied post-review. Grounds:

• No graft evidence: No direct money trail between Dahiya and Manchanda/Chopra/Sharma.
• PCA Section 17A violation: ACB FIR did not follow the requirements to preapprove official-duty investigations.
• Inadequate evidences: Trap caught Chopra/Sharma; Dahiya circumstantial on evidences.

Denial was approved; Dahiya reinstated as Principal Secretary (awaiting posting).

Timeline of Twists

Date	Event
Apr 20, 2023	ACB FIR; Chopra caught in Manchanda trap
Oct 10, 2023	Dahiya/Sharma arrested; 49-day detention
Nov 28, 2023	Dahiya bailed
Jul 10, 2024	ACB sanction request
Jan 1, 2026	Dahiya advertised PS even though he still had a pending case
Jan 10, 2026	Sanction denied by government

Outrage and Political Crossfire ACB.

ACB officials are outraged: “Bad investigation? Evidence–has been refused–corruption is a crime which is sanctioned. There are claims of pressure after the promotion; Suspension of Dahiya (and his reinstatement in 2023) alleged.

Congress assaults: Nayab Saini govt shields IAS mafia- 5L bribe vanishes. BJP justifies it: “Rule of law; ACB did not follow the procedure. Ajay Jhajharia, an activist of RTI, insists on file information.

Context of batchmates: at Dahiya, the peers of 2001 (PS rank) progressed regularly; the time of cases was doubted.

Legal Ramifications

Section 17A (2018 amendment) of the PCA requires sanction preceding FIR on any public servant acting in the exercise of officially vested functions ACB bypassed and struck down the investigation. The HC of Punjab-Haryana has precedents regarding such rejections without ironclad evidence.

ACB can appeal through HC; Dahiya immune up to the resolution. Same: 2024 Haryana refused to suspend IAS Sanjeev Kaushal (land scam).

Expansive IAS Accountability Debate.

The 15 pending sanction requests (10 of them IAS related) in Haryana are evidence of executive reluctance. CAG raises alarm over such ₹2,000 crore mission anomalies; Dahiya belongs to his department.

Guidelines of CVC: Sanction in 3 months; Haryana has an average of 18. The national average 50 percent of graft cases languish on sanction.

Dahiya profile: Kontinent Haryana cadres; previous position Irrigation, Revenue; 2023 ACB heat led suspension/relief.

The next step that ACB takes is to Refile with sanction compliance or closure.

The shield of Dahiya is again thrown by Haryana but does it spark off the debate of babudom impunity- justice denied or justice delayed? With the officer returned to high-profile work, people lose trust; ACB mop up.