The Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal and his IPS wife, Prashakha Mathur, over allegations of misusing official authority to benefit the operators of Ananta hotels and resorts. In return for unverified approvals and concessional packages, the couple allegedly purchased numerous resort properties in Udaipur and Alwar at steep discounts, registering multiple assets in their sons' and relatives' names. A key focal point of the probe is that Agrawal registered 20 properties on the exact day the Finance Department approved a concessional package for the company. Officials launched the inquiry after reviewing departmental findings, media reports, and confidential…
Key points
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating whether Shikhar Agrawal accumulated assets di…: The Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating whether Shikhar Agrawal accumulated assets disproportionate to his legally known sources of income.
Investigators are reviewing potential misuse of power spanning Agrawal's tenures as Udaip…: Investigators are reviewing potential misuse of power spanning Agrawal's tenures as Udaipur collector, pollution control board chairperson, and industries secretary.
The state government approved the preliminary inquiry shortly after placing Agrawal on aw…: The state government approved the preliminary inquiry shortly after placing Agrawal on awaiting posting orders status.
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JAIPUR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Friday registered a preliminary inquiry against senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal for allegedly misusing his official position to favour a private company and causing financial losses to the state govt.
The state govt formally approved of an investigation against Agrawal earlier in the day. He was serving as an additional chief secretary, industries, when he was put on awaiting posting orders (APO) status Wednesday.
At the centre of the probe are alleged irregularities in the purchase of villas by Agrawal and family members.
The bureau, in a statement, alleged that Agrawal colluded with the directors of Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates hotels and resorts under the brand name ‘Ananta’, to secure undue benefits for the company.
These allegedly included relaxations in conditions governing resort construction, approvals without verification of mandatory certificates and a special concessional financial package.
In the eye of a storm
The bureau said preliminary investigations also found that Agrawal colluded with the company’s directors to buy villas at its Ananta resorts in his own name and those of his family members.…
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