Jaipur : ACB probe after 'throwaway' resort deals. Image Credit: AI edit/author. IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal and IPS officer Prashakha Mathur.

Rajasthan's Anti-Corruption Bureau has launched a probe into the alleged irregularities in resort property purchases involving IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal and his family after the state government authorised an investigation into possible misuse of his official position. 

His wife, IPS officer Prashakha Mathur, has also been placed on awaiting posting orders, although the bureau has not announced an inquiry against her.

The state authorised the investigation on October 30 under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. 

Rajasthan's Anti-Corruption Bureau said the preliminary inquiry had found grounds to examine whether Agrawal used his government positions to secure benefits for a private hospitality company and purchase property from it at unusually low prices.

The company, Goyal Fashions Private Limited, operates hotels and resorts under the Ananta brand. 

According to the bureau, the alleged benefits included relaxation of resort construction conditions, government approvals granted without proper scrutiny of required certificates and a concessional financial package.

Investigators are examining decisions made during Agrawal's tenures as Udaipur district collector, chairman of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and additional chief secretary in the Industries Department. 

The bureau is also examining the role of company directors and other persons linked to the transactions.

Rajasthan's Anti-Corruption Bureau said the agency acted after reviewing a newspaper report published on October 27, information supplied by the Industries Department and material received from confidential sources. The allegations have not been established by a court.

Villa transactions reported in Udaipur and Alwar. The properties at the centre of the inquiry are located at resort sites in Bujhda in Udaipur district and Ajabgarh in Alwar district. 

Reports differ on the number of properties involved. While the ACB has said Agrawal and members of his family purchased 40 villas and cottages, another published account has listed 36 villas, with reported purchase prices totalling approximately Rs 5.52 crore.

Other reports have put the combined purchase price of 40 villas and cottages at Rs 6.16 crore. India Today reported that the family had entered into arrangements to lease the properties back to the company, with the agreements providing for an annual rent of about Rs 1.8 crore.

Property registrations and government concession under scrutiny
The ACB is also examining the reported registration of 20 villas on March 27, the same day on which the state Finance Department issued a special concessional financial package to the company. Investigators will examine whether the two sets of transactions were connected and whether any government decision caused a loss to the state.

Agrawal, a 1993-batch IAS officer, was placed on awaiting posting orders on October 28. Mathur, a 1995-batch IPS officer who was serving as additional director general of police for planning, modernisation and welfare, received a similar order on October 31. The government cited administrative reasons for her removal from the post.

The ACB has said its present inquiry concerns allegations against Agrawal and has not announced a separate formal inquiry against Mathur.