Corruption Probe Launched Against Rajasthan IAS-IPS Couple Over Luxury Properties
Investigation into IAS Officer and IPS Wife's Wealth
In Rajasthan, a significant controversy has emerged surrounding senior IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal and his IPS wife Prashakha Mathur, linked to a property acquisition case. Over the past two and a half years, the couple and their family members reportedly purchased 40 villas and cottages across two luxury resorts, with a total expenditure estimated at approximately ₹6.16 crore. Notably, after acquiring these properties, they leased them back to the same company, claiming an annual rental income of around ₹1.80 crore. The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is currently investigating the matter.
Details of the Acquired Properties
According to initial findings by the ACB, between September 2023 and March 2026, Shikhar Agarwal and his family acquired 40 properties at the Ananta Resort located in Udaipur and Ajabgarh in Alwar. This includes 20 cottages in Udaipur and 20 villas in Alwar, purchased from Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates the Ananta brand.
The properties were reportedly registered under the names of the IAS officer, his wife, their two sons, and other family members. The investigation agency suspects that some of these properties were acquired at prices significantly lower than their market value, prompting scrutiny into the transactions and the sources of funds used.
Annual Rental Income Claims
A crucial aspect of this case is the leasing of the properties back to the original company post-purchase. Reports indicate that each cottage in Udaipur is expected to generate an annual rent of approximately ₹4 lakh, while each villa in Alwar is set to yield around ₹5 lakh. This arrangement suggests a potential annual income of about ₹1.80 crore from the 40 properties, with around ₹80 lakh expected from Udaipur and nearly ₹1 crore from Alwar.
The ACB is investigating the circumstances surrounding the purchase and lease agreements to determine if any undue benefits were involved.
Allegations of Favoritism Towards Private Company
As per information released by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on October 30, preliminary investigations have revealed facts that necessitate scrutiny of IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal for allegedly providing undue advantages to Goyal Fashions Private Limited. It is alleged that while holding various government positions, Agarwal facilitated exemptions related to resort construction, approved permits without proper verification, and secured special financial packages for the company.
The ACB asserts that these decisions could potentially result in financial losses for the state government. Consequently, the Rajasthan government has authorized a comprehensive investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Concerns Over Simultaneous Registrations and Financial Packages
Another significant finding in the investigation is that on March 27, 2026, Goyal Fashions Private Limited was granted a special financial package, coinciding with the registration of 20 villas at the Ajabgarh resort. The ACB is connecting these events to examine the overall context of the transactions.
Suspension of Officials
Following the revelations, the Rajasthan government placed IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal on Awaiting Posting Order (APO) on October 28. Subsequently, on October 31, his wife, senior IPS officer Prashakha Mathur, was also placed on APO. Mathur was serving as the Additional Director General (ADG) at the Rajasthan Police Headquarters.
The investigation into the allegations is ongoing, with the ACB examining the possibility of disproportionate assets, the sources of funds for the property acquisitions, and the alleged governmental benefits provided to the private company. The relationship between these property transactions and governmental decisions will only become clear once the investigation concludes.