40 Villas, 2 Years: ACB Probes IAS Shikhar Agarwal in Massive Property Row
Rajasthan's ACB investigates IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal and IPS wife Prashakha Mathur over alleged purchase of 40 luxury villas.
The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched a high-stakes investigation into senior IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal following explosive allegations of large-scale property acquisitions. The probe centers on the shocking claim that Agarwal and his family members purchased approximately 40 villa cottages from a single real estate firm within a remarkably short window of just two and a half years.
Power Couple Sidelined
The state government has taken swift administrative action, placing Shikhar Agarwal on 'Awaiting Posting Orders' (APO) status. In a parallel move, his wife, Prashakha Mathur—a senior IPS officer serving as the Additional Director General of Police (Planning)—has also been placed on APO status. The Department of Personnel issued the official orders, effectively stripping both high-ranking officials of their active duties pending the outcome of the review.
The Scale of the Allegations
The controversy erupted after a media investigation brought to light the extent of the property dealings. According to the reports, the acquisitions were not limited to Agarwal alone; the purchases were allegedly linked to him, his IPS wife, their two sons, and their in-laws. The sheer volume of luxury villas and cottages acquired from one specific company has raised serious red flags regarding the source of funds and potential irregularities.
A Massive Portfolio Under Scrutiny
Before being sidelined, Shikhar Agarwal held an extensive and influential array of administrative responsibilities. His portfolio included critical roles such as:
- Additional Chief Secretary: Industries, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and State Undertakings.
- Key Oversight: Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Bhiwadi Integrated Development Authority.
- Investment & Promotion: Additional Chief Secretary for Investment, Non-Resident Rajasthani Affairs (NORA), and the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP).
- Leadership: Chairman of RIICO and Chairman & Managing Director of RAJSICO.
Legal Framework of the Probe
The investigation has moved beyond mere administrative review. The Rajasthan ACB sought and received formal permission from the state government to proceed under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act). This legal step allows the agency to formally investigate a public servant for offenses relatable to their official duties.
The official order, signed by Joint Secretary Dheeraj Kumar Singh, stated that Shri Shikhar Agrawal (1993 batch IAS) is placed under APO "until further orders due to administrative reasons." The government's decision to act follows intense public scrutiny and the revelations brought forward by the investigative media report.