Jaipur: The Rajasthan Government has placed senior IPS officer Prashakha Mathur on Awaiting Posting Order (APO), days after taking similar administrative action against her husband, senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal, who faces an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) inquiry.

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Mathur, a 1995-batch IPS officer who was serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for planning, modernisation and welfare at police headquarters, was taken off her post under administrative orders issued by the state personnel department.

Her husband, a 1993-batch IAS officer who served as Additional Chief Secretary (Industries), was placed on APO on October 28. The state government subsequently granted formal approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act to initiate a detailed probe against Agrawal.


The allegations: 40 luxury villas and exemption favours

According to preliminary findings by the ACB, Agrawal, Mathur and members of their family purchased approximately 40 villas and cottages in Udaipur and Alwar districts from Goyal Fashions Pvt Ltd, a firm operating hotels and resorts, at prices substantially below market rates. Official records indicate that several of the properties were registered directly in Mathur's name.

In return for the deeply discounted real estate, the ACB alleges that Agrawal abused his official standing to secure illegal benefits for the company. These allegedly included

  • Unverified approvals and relaxations of regulatory building norms for resorts.
  • A custom, highly concessional financial relief package approved by the state exchequer.

Crucially, ACB investigators noted that 20 villas were registered under Agrawal's name on March 27, the exact date the state finance department issued formal clearance for the company's special financial package.

 

Scope of the ACB inquiry and political reactions

Addressing the administrative action, ACB Director General Govind Gupta confirmed that the preliminary inquiry has established prima facie evidence of official misconduct and potential accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.

While the ACB clarified that its ongoing probe is currently restricted to Agrawal, investigative sources indicated that the scope could be expanded to include Mathur, who may be called in for questioning if warranted. Agrawal, who is currently abroad, is expected to face questioning upon his return.

Following high-level discussions between Chief Secretary V Srinivas and ACB chief Govind Gupta, the state government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy regarding administrative corruption.

Meanwhile, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the state's response as insufficient, demanding that the property deals be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
(With PTI inputs)