Rajasthan places IPS officer on APO amid corruption probe into husband
Senior IPS officer Prashakha Mathur was moved to the awaiting posting orders list following an investigation into her husband's property transactions.
The Rajasthan government on Saturday placed 1995-batch IPS officer Prashakha Mathur on the awaiting posting orders (APO) list for administrative reasons, according to Times Now. Mathur, who served as Additional Director General of Police for Planning, Modernisation and Welfare in Jaipur, is the wife of IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal.
Agrawal, a 1993-batch officer, was placed on APO on October 28. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating Agrawal for alleged irregularities involving the purchase of 40 villas and cottages in the Udaipur and Alwar districts.
The ACB alleges that Agrawal, his wife, their two sons, and his parents-in-law bought properties in Bujhda and Ajabgarh at prices significantly lower than market value. The bureau claims Agrawal used his influence to provide a private hotel and resort company with construction relaxations, unverified certificate approvals, and special financial packages.
ACB Director General Govind Gupta stated that a preliminary inquiry found evidence suggesting Agrawal misused his position to benefit the firm. The bureau is also looking into whether 20 villas were registered to Agrawal on March 27, the same day the state finance department issued a concessional financial package to the company.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called for a CBI and ED probe into the matter. He questioned why the properties were allegedly sold for Rs 15 lakh each and suggested the ACB might not be able to investigate independently as it functions under the state government.