GUSTAKHI MAAF HARYANA : How IPS Officer Shatrujeet Kapur Exposed a ₹700 Crore Power Scam in Haryana Discoms

GUSTAKHI MAAF HARYANA: PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL

How IPS Officer Shatrujeet Kapur Exposed a ₹700 Crore Power Scam in Haryana Discoms

A Thriller Unfolds in Haryana’s Power Sector
The just-released book “Wired for Success: How a Top Cop Turned Around Two Discoms” by Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur reads like a Mumbai crime thriller — complete with corrupt officials, greedy politicians, a powerful business group, and a determined IPS officer who uncovers a ₹700 crore scam.

The Coal Billing Racket
Kapur, during his tenure as CMD of Haryana Discoms, got a tip-off from a confidential source about a massive coal billing scam involving a leading private power company. The company had allegedly submitted inflated coal bills, claiming payments for coal that was actually diverted to its plants in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, instead of Haryana.

The Power of a Credible Source
The officer emphasizes the critical role of protecting source identity in cracking such high-level fraud. Although the source remains unnamed, the information proved accurate. Kapur writes that his contacts in CBI and Railways helped him verify the claims and gather additional evidence.

Taking on the Influential Corporate House
Despite resistance from the private company — which had previously worked closely with top IAS officers, technocrats, and army personnel — Kapur’s methodical investigation, backed by documentary evidence, forced the company to agree to a financial settlement of ₹700 crore. It was their first time dealing with an IPS officer, and the experience apparently left a lasting impression.

Exposing the Internal Rot
In the chapter titled “The Intriguing World of Power Purchase”, Kapur details the nexus between department insiders and the corporate mafia, offering an unflinching look into the underbelly of India’s energy sector. His findings led to a significant change in his own administrative style and strengthened internal accountability.

A Missed Opportunity for Journalists?
Kapur ends the chapter with a pointed remark — journalists in Chandigarh should have unearthed this scam, but it took an honest cop to do their job. Drawing on his five-decade career as an investigative journalist, the author of this news piece suggests that had media professionals maintained the same level of trust and source protection, the exposé might have come from the press instead.

Conclusion
This episode not only marked a major financial recovery for the state but also redefined the role an IPS officer can play in public sector reforms. Shatrujeet Kapur’s story is a compelling example of how integrity, information, and initiative can tackle even the most entrenched corruption.