Rajasthan government issues show cause notice to IAS officer and IPS wife
The officers have been placed on Awaiting Posting Order following allegations regarding their immovable assets.
The Rajasthan government has issued show cause notices to 1993-batch IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal and his wife, IPS officer Prashakha Mathur, according to The Indian Express. The Department of Personnel issued the notices on October 30, requesting the officers to provide clarifications within seven days regarding their immovable property statements.
The notices state that while no immovable property was declared in online statements submitted since 2021, various communications were submitted to the state government regarding transactions involving immovable properties that took place after 2021. Agrawal, who previously served as Additional Chief Secretary, has been placed on Awaiting Posting Order for administrative reasons.
The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a preliminary inquiry case against the couple over allegations regarding their immovable assets. The Indian Express reported that the government approved an ACB investigation after the bureau indicated prima facie evidence of alleged collusion between Agrawal and a private firm.
The investigation reportedly covers allegations that Agrawal used his official position to favour a private hospitality company, Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates the Ananta brand. The probe will look into whether concessions, relaxations in construction rules, or approvals were issued to the company.
The inquiry will also examine villa purchases at two resorts in Bujhda, Udaipur, and Ajabgarh, Alwar. According to reports, these transactions involve villas registered in the names of Agrawal, Mathur, their sons, and Agrawal's parents-in-law.