Property Row: Senior IAS Shikhar Agrawal Placed on APO
Rajasthan government removes senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal from his posts following allegations of massive property acquisitions.
In a sudden late-night administrative shake-up, the Rajasthan government has placed senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shikhar Agrawal under 'Awaiting Posting Orders' (APO). The 1993-batch officer, who held several high-profile portfolios, was relieved of his duties following a brewing controversy regarding alleged large-scale property acquisitions linked to him and his family members.
Late-Night Order from Department of Personnel
The official order was issued late Wednesday night by the state’s Department of Personnel (DoP). Signed by Joint Secretary Dheeraj Kumar Singh, the directive stated that Shikhar Agrawal has been put on APO until further orders, citing "administrative reasons."
This move effectively strips Agrawal of his extensive administrative powers and responsibilities while the state reviews the situation.
A Powerhouse Portfolio
Before this action, Shikhar Agrawal was one of the most influential bureaucrats in the state, managing a vast array of critical sectors. His roles included:
- Additional Chief Secretary (ACS): Industries, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and State Undertakings.
- Industrial Development: Overseeing the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Bhiwadi Integrated Development Authority.
- Investment and Outreach: ACS for Investment, Non-Resident Rajasthani Affairs (NORA), and the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP).
- Leadership Roles: Chairman of RIICO and Chairman & Managing Director of RAJSICO.
The Allegations: 40 Villas in 30 Months?
The government's swift action reportedly follows a detailed investigative report by a media organization. The report leveled serious allegations regarding the wealth and assets of the senior bureaucrat and his immediate circle.
According to the media investigation, Agrawal—along with his wife, Prashakha Mathur (a senior Indian Police Service officer), their two sons, and his in-laws—allegedly acquired approximately 40 villas and cottages. Shockingly, these properties were reportedly purchased from a single real estate company within a short window of just two and a half years.
The scale of these acquisitions triggered intense public scrutiny, prompting the state government to move rapidly to relieve Agrawal of his charges pending further administrative review.