Rajasthan IAS-IPS couple under ACB probe over purchase of 40 Villas

The Rajasthan government has ordered a detailed Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into allegations that senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal misused his official position to extend undue benefits to a private hospitality company and acquired multiple resort villas for himself and his family members at prices far below their market value. Earlir, mounting pressure has forced the Rajasthan government to place both husband and wife — senior IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal and IPS officer Prashakha Mathur — on a panel awaiting postings.
 The alleged benefits reportedly included relaxations in approvals and concessional government packages. Investigators are examining the purchase of 40 villas and cottages in Udaipur and Alwar by Agarwal, Mathur, their sons and other family members from the same company. Reports allege that the properties were bought for about Rs 6.16 crore and then leased back to the same company, generating substantial annual rental income. The ACB alleges there is prima facie evidence suggesting possible collusion between the officer and the company, and is investigating whether his official position or influence was misused. The investigation is still at a preliminary stage.
The investigation will examine the alleged links between Agrawal, who until recently served as Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, and the directors of Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates hotels and resorts under the Ananta brand. The allegations include the grant of concessions to the company, relaxations in resort construction conditions, approvals allegedly issued without proper verification of mandatory certificates, and the acquisition of properties in the names of Agrawal and his relatives.
The ACB's preliminary investigation centres on Agrawal's conduct during his postings in several senior administrative positions, including District Collector of Udaipur, chairman of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department. Goyal Fashions Private Limited operates resorts and hotels under the Ananta brand, including properties in Bujhda in Udaipur and Ajabgarh in Alwar. Both locations feature in the preliminary inquiry into the acquisition of villas allegedly registered in the names of Agrawal, his wife and other family members.The preliminary inquiry has identified multiple villas at two Ananta-branded resort properties that were allegedly purchased by Agrawal and members of his family. The ACB will probe the reasons for the alleged underpricing of the cottages and villas sold to the bureaucrat and his IPS wife by Jaipur-based company Goyal Fashions, which is engaged in the textile, garment and hospitality businesses.

According to media reports, Agarwal and his wife bought 28 villas and cottages in their own names. However, while Agarwal declared 14 properties in his immovable property return (IPR) — a mandatory disclosure submitted by officers —his wife reportedly did not disclose the purchase of any property in her IPR. In Bujhda, the couple are said to have bought villas at Ananta, a resort owned by Goyal Fashions, for Rs 15 lakh each, and villas in Ajabgarh for Rs 16.50 lakh each. The market price of each villa is reportedly Rs 1.6 crore. It is also alleged that the sale deeds and lease deeds are reportedly dated the same day. 
Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot, Govind Dotasra and Tika Ram Jully have demanded that the case be handed over to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).