Rajasthan IPS officer removed after ACB probe ordered against IAS husband

The Rajasthan government on Saturday placed an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Prashakha Mathur, on awaiting posting order (APO) after an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) was approved against her husband and senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shikhar Agrawal.

Mr. Agrawal, who was also sent on APO earlier this week, is facing charges along with his family members of purchasing 40 villas in luxury resorts operated by a private firm in Udaipur and Alwar districts by allegedly abusing his position and influence and extending “undue benefits” to the firm.

While Mr. Agrawal was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) and additionally held charge of four public sector corporations, his wife Ms. Mathur, a 1995-batch IPS officer, was posted as Additional Director General in charge of Planning, Modernisation and Welfare.

The ACB has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) and launched an investigation into the allegations of abuse of official position, conflict of interest, and extending undue benefits to the firm in question. ACB Director General Govind Gupta said the properties were allegedly purchased at prices substantially below their market value.

The ACB’s probe will examine whether the alleged benefits caused substantial financial losses to the State government and whether Mr. Agrawal and his family members acquired assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

Mr. Agrawal was appointed Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office in February 2024, shortly after Bhajan Lal Sharma took oath as the CM, and served in that position till November 2025. Former CM Ashok Gehlot has demanded investigation by Central agencies into the matter, describing it as the “biggest scandal” under the Bharatiya Janata Party government.