JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has placed IPS officer Prashakha Mathur on Awaiting Posting Order (APO), a day after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) opened a preliminary inquiry into allegations that her husband, senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal, misused his official position to favour a private company in return for benefits to himself and members of his family.Mathur, a 1995-batch IPS officer, was serving as additional director general of police (ADGP), planning, modernisation and welfare, at police headquarters. Agrawal, a 1993-batch IAS officer, was serving as additional chief secretary, industries, when the state government placed him on APO on Wednesday.Following Saturday’s action against Mathur, the ACB clarified that its ongoing inquiry is currently limited to Agrawal and allegations that he misused his official position to benefit hotels and resorts firm Goyal Fashions Pvt Ltd, causing losses to the state exchequer.Although no formal inquiry has been announced against Mathur so far, sources in the ACB said the possibility of the agency expanding the scope of its inquiry to include her cannot be ruled out.
What are the allegations against Agrawal?
The bureau’s prima facie findings point to the couple purchasing dozens of villas from Goyal Fashions in Udaipur and Alwar at prices substantially below market value.In return, the IAS officer is alleged to have colluded with the company’s directors and helped it secure undue financial benefits. These allegedly included relaxations in conditions governing resort construction, approvals without verification and a special concessional financial package.The ACB argues that these benefits caused substantial financial losses to the state.
FIR may follow if allegations are substantiated
ACB officials said a formal FIR could be registered against Agrawal if the preliminary inquiry substantiates the allegations against him.Sources close to the investigation said the bureau could also call Mathur in for questioning if warranted.The ACB has not announced any formal inquiry against the IPS officer so far. The bureau has maintained that its ongoing probe is currently limited to Agrawal.
How did the ACB inquiry begin?
Chief secretary V Srinivas met ACB director general Govind Gupta on Friday. He later reiterated the state government’s “zero tolerance” policy towards corruption in a post on X.Following formal approval from the state government the same day, the ACB registered a preliminary inquiry against Agrawal.The IAS officer is currently abroad and could be questioned upon his return, sources said.
What will the inquiry examine?
The inquiry is likely to examine a wide range of allegations, including misuse of official position and accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.The ACB could register a formal FIR against Agrawal if the allegations against him are substantiated during the preliminary inquiry.