Jaipur, Nov 11 (PTI) Nearly two weeks after the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau launched a preliminary enquiry into the controversial purchase of 40 villas and cottages by senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal and his family, activists have alleged “delay” in registering an FIR and sought a wider investigation into the transactions.
RTI activist Ashok Pathak submitted a representation to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and the chief secretary on Tuesday, flagging why the bureau has not taken a decision on registering an FIR.
He cited Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which provides a 14-day period for preliminary enquiries in certain cognisable offences, and a Supreme Court judgment to question the delay. He threatened to approach the High Court or the Supreme Court if the ACB fails to conclude the enquiry and take action in accordance with the law.
“The chief minister was proactive in handing over the matter to the ACB, but the bureau has been unusually slow. Why has it not concluded the preliminary enquiry and registered an FIR?” Pathak told PTI.
Advocates Poonam Chand Bhandari and T N Sharma have also approached the Enforcement Directorate (ED), seeking an investigation into the transactions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The advocates, associated with Public Against Corruption, alleged that the purchase of properties at prices substantially below their market value and their subsequent leaseback to the seller raised serious questions about the transactions.
The ACB registered the preliminary enquiry on October 30 after allegations surfaced that Shikhar Agrawal, his wife and IPS officer Prashakha Mathur and their family members purchased 40 villas and cottages for approximately Rs 6.17 crore and subsequently leased them back to the seller for an annual rent of around Rs 1.80 crore.
The controversy began following a media report about the property transactions involving Agrawal, his wife and other family members.
Official sources said that the Prime Minister’s Office had sought a factual report from the Rajasthan government after the allegations surfaced. The Centre also called the chief secretary to Delhi regarding the matter.
The state government examined the allegations and placed Agrawal, who was on a foreign visit, on awaiting posting orders (APO) on October 28.
Chief Minister Sharma subsequently cleared an ACB investigation into the matter. The government granted prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act on October 30.
The state government also placed his wife on APO on October 31. Both officers were subsequently issued show-cause notices over alleged discrepancies in their immovable property declarations.
A senior official in the state government told PTI that the ACB was working on the matter.
Sources said the ACB is likely to summon Agrawal for questioning. The bureau has been examining property records and official decisions taken during his previous postings.
In their complaint, Bhandari and Sharma questioned how properties purchased for around Rs 6.17 crore could generate such high annual rental income and sought an examination of their actual market value.
They also demanded an investigation into the source of funds used for the purchases, the financial transactions between the company and the buyers, and the income and assets of the family members concerned.
They requested the ED to examine whether the transactions involved proceeds of crime and initiate proceedings under the money laundering law if evidence of an offence emerged.
Earlier, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot had questioned the decision to entrust the investigation to the ACB, saying the bureau functioned under the chief minister. The senior Congress leader alleged that decisions benefiting the company had been taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sharma.
“The ACB is under the chief minister. The allegations concern a decision taken at a meeting chaired by the chief minister himself, which benefited the company,” Gehlot had alleged.
He questioned whether the bureau could independently examine decisions taken at the highest level of the state government and called for an impartial investigation.
Gehlot also pointed out that Agrawal had previously served in a senior position in the Chief Minister’s Office.
“Only a preliminary enquiry has been registered. Nothing has happened yet. When will it be converted into an FIR?” he had asked.
An ACB official said that the initial assessment indicated that Agrawal had allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy involving directors of Goyal Fashions Private Limited and misused his official position to secure undue benefits for himself and the company.
The alleged benefits included relaxations in resort construction conditions, approvals without proper verification of mandatory certificates and a special concessional financial package for the company, which operates hotels and resorts under the Ananta brand.
According to the bureau, Agrawal allegedly misused his influence during his tenure in important positions, including Udaipur district collector, chairman of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and additional chief secretary of the Industries Department.
The ACB also found that 20 villas were registered in the names of Agrawal and his family members on March 27, 2026, the same day the Finance Department issued a special concessional financial package to the company.
The government has since put the company’s investment incentives and concessions on hold pending the outcome of the ACB enquiry.
The bureau said the investigation would examine the alleged conspiracy, financial benefits extended to the company, possible losses to the state exchequer and suspected acquisition of assets disproportionate to known sources of income. PTI SDA RT
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