The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Chief Secretary of Haryana to provide detailed data concerning the efficacy of employment exchanges in the state. This request emerged during a court session focused on an anticipatory bail plea related to a job scam.
Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu, presiding over the hearing, expressed concerns about the functionality of employment exchanges, suggesting that they might be “non-functional for the desired purpose.” The court’s inquiry ties into a broader investigation into alleged job fraud involving Harpreet Singh, who is accused of facilitating financial transactions for the main suspect in a case of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
The case, registered on June 27, 2024, in Fatehabad, revolves around allegations against Sushil Kumar, who reportedly deceived about 15 individuals by promising them government jobs in exchange for ₹60,000 each. It came to light that the bank account of Harpreet Singh was used in the execution of this scheme.
During the court proceedings, Senior Advocate Bipan Ghai, representing Harpreet Singh, argued that his client was wrongfully implicated, as he had no direct involvement in the crime. The court granted Singh interim protection from arrest and requested his cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Highlighting the recurring issue of fraudulent job promises in Haryana, the court has asked for a comprehensive review of the employment exchanges’ operations. The Chief Secretary is to submit an affidavit detailing the number of people employed through these exchanges in the past three years, the number of registered unemployed individuals as of February 28, 2025, the manpower involved, and the total expenditure incurred by the state in managing these facilities.
