Rajasthan government probes IAS officer and IPS wife over villa purchases
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating allegations that Shikhar Agrawal and Prashakha Mathur purchased villas at below-market prices.
The Rajasthan government has authorised an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe into senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal and his wife, senior IPS officer Prashakha Mathur, regarding alleged graft. According to reports from The Federal and Times Now, Agrawal and Mathur have been placed on Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) for administrative reasons.
The investigation concerns allegations that Agrawal used his official position to favour Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates the Ananta brand of hotels and resorts. The ACB is looking into claims that Agrawal facilitated relaxations in construction rules, issued approvals without checking mandatory certificates, and helped the company secure a special concessional financial package.
Investigators are examining property transactions involving villas and cottages in Udaipur and Alwar. Reports indicate the family allegedly purchased villas at prices ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 16.5 lakh each. The ACB is looking into whether these transactions, involving properties in Bujhda and Ajabgarh, were conducted at prices substantially below market value.
ACB Director General Govind Gupta stated that the state government granted prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, to proceed with the probe. The inquiry will scrutinise Agrawal's conduct during his previous roles, including his time as District Collector of Udaipur and Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department.