Rajasthan IPS officer removed after ACB probe ordered against IAS husband
The state government placed IPS officer Prashakha Mathur on awaiting posting order following an investigation into her husband, IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal.
The Rajasthan government on Saturday placed 1995-batch IPS officer Prashakha Mathur on awaiting posting order (APO) for administrative reasons. This follows the approval of an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into her husband, senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal.
Mr. Agrawal, who was also placed on APO earlier this week, is facing allegations of abusing his position to extend undue benefits to a private firm. The ACB has registered a preliminary enquiry into allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of official position.
The bureau alleges that Mr. Agrawal facilitated benefits for the firm, including relaxations in resort construction conditions and approvals without certificate verification. ACB Director General Govind Gupta said the properties were allegedly purchased at prices substantially below market value.
The investigation concerns the purchase of 40 villas in luxury resorts operated by the firm in Udaipur and Alwar districts. The villas were allegedly purchased in the names of Mr. Agrawal, Ms.
Mathur, their two sons, and Mr. Agrawal’s parents-in-law.
According to the ACB, villas in Bujhda, Udaipur, were purchased for Rs 15 lakh each, while those in Ajabgarh, Alwar, cost approximately Rs 15 lakh to Rs 16.5 lakh each. The bureau is examining if these actions caused financial losses to the state government.
Mr. Agrawal held several roles, including Additional Chief Secretary (Industries), while Ms. Mathur served as Additional Director General in charge of Planning, Modernisation and Welfare.