Rajasthan IAS Officer Under Investigation for 36 Villas
An ACB probe reveals IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal's alleged misuse of power to acquire multiple villas at undervalued prices.
Shikhar Agrawal, a senior IAS officer, is under investigation for acquiring 36 villas at below market value.
The ACB is examining links between Agrawal and Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates resorts.
The total value of the properties is estimated at approximately Rs 5.52 crore.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Rajasthan has initiated an extensive investigation into allegations against senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal, who is accused of leveraging his official position to secure undue advantages for a private hospitality firm. The inquiry focuses on Agrawal's dealings with Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates under the Ananta brand, and includes the acquisition of numerous resort villas at significantly reduced prices.
The investigation stems from a preliminary inquiry prompted by a media report published by Dainik Bhaskar on October 27, which raised concerns about Agrawal's conduct during his tenure as Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department. The ACB's findings suggest that Agrawal may have engaged in a criminal conspiracy with the directors of Goyal Fashions, facilitating benefits for both himself and the company, potentially leading to considerable financial losses for the state.
ACB Director General Govind Gupta confirmed that the government has authorized the investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The inquiry will scrutinize Agrawal's actions during his various senior roles, including District Collector of Udaipur and chairman of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, to determine if his decisions favored Goyal Fashions inappropriately.
The investigation has identified a total of 36 villas across two Ananta-branded resort locations in Udaipur and Alwar. In Udaipur, 20 villas were reportedly purchased in March 2026, with half registered in Agrawal's name and the other half in the name of his wife, IPS officer Prashakha Mathur. The purchase price for these villas was approximately Rs 15 lakh each, totaling around Rs 3 crore. In Ajabgarh, Alwar, eight villas were acquired, with similar pricing, bringing the total estimated value of all properties to about Rs 5.52 crore.
The implications of this investigation are significant, as it raises questions about corruption within the state's administrative framework and the integrity of public officials. The ACB's findings could lead to further scrutiny of government practices and policies regarding property acquisitions and the oversight of public officials. As the investigation progresses, the ACB is expected to release more details on the findings and any potential legal actions against those involved.
