Rajasthan IPS officer removed after ACB probe ordered against IAS husband
The state government placed Prashakha Mathur on awaiting posting orders following corruption allegations against her husband, Shikhar Agrawal.
The Rajasthan government on Saturday placed IPS officer Prashakha Mathur on awaiting posting order (APO) for administrative reasons, according to The Indian Express. Mathur, a 1995-batch officer, was serving as Additional Director General in charge of Planning, Modernisation and Welfare.
The action follows the government's approval of an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into her husband, senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal. Agrawal was placed on APO on October 28 following allegations of corruption involving him and his family.
The ACB is investigating claims that Agrawal misused his influence to provide undue advantages to a private firm that operates hotels and resorts. These alleged benefits include special financial packages, relaxations in construction rules, and approvals granted without verifying necessary certificates.
ACB Director General Govind Gupta stated that a preliminary inquiry found prima facie evidence of these activities. The bureau alleges that Agrawal, Mathur, their two sons, and Agrawal's parents-in-law purchased 40 villas in Udaipur and Alwar districts at prices significantly lower than market value.
The investigation will look into whether these transactions caused financial losses to the state. Gupta noted that 20 villas were reportedly registered to Agrawal on March 27, coinciding with the date the Finance Department provided a special financial package to the firm.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called for central agency investigations into the matter, describing the situation as the largest scandal under the current government.