A Rajasthan IAS officer and his family bought 40 villas and cottages at two Ananta resorts for Rs 6.16 crore over two-and-a-half years and then leased them back to the company that sold them, reportedly earning Rs 1.8 crore annually. Now, the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating allegations that the officer misused his position to secure favourable deals for the company and acquire properties at prices well below market rates.
The officer, Shikhar Agrawal, a former Additional Chief Secretary in the Industries Department, has already been placed under Awaiting Posting Orders (APO). His wife, senior IPS officer Prashakha Mathur, was also placed under APO by the Rajasthan government on Saturday.
The ACB has received the state government’s approval to conduct a detailed investigation into the allegations against Agrawal, including possible undue favours to Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates resorts under the Ananta brand.
ACB PROBES ALLEGED FAVOURS TO RESORT FIRM
In a statement issued on October 30, the ACB said its preliminary inquiry had found prima facie evidence that Shikhar Agrawal colluded with directors of Goyal Fashions to secure undue benefits for the company and cause substantial financial loss to the state.
The allegations relate to Agrawal’s postings as Udaipur district collector, chairman of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and Additional Chief Secretary in the Industries Department, among other positions.
According to the ACB, the company received concessions in resort construction requirements, approvals without proper verification of mandatory certificates and special financial packages on favourable terms.
The state government has approved a detailed investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency will examine the role of Agrawal, the company’s directors and other individuals involved.
40 PROPERTIES BOUGHT IN 2.5 YEARS
The property transactions span two Ananta resorts in Rajasthan.
In September 2023, the family purchased 20 cottages at the resort in Bujhda, Udaipur. In March 2026, they bought another 20 villas at the resort in Ajabgarh, Alwar.
The properties were purchased from Goyal Fashions for a combined Rs 6.16 crore. The ACB’s preliminary findings suggest that some of the villas may have been bought at prices substantially below their market value.
According to the agency, Agrawal and Mathur each purchased 10 villas at the Udaipur resort for Rs 15 lakh apiece. At the Alwar resort, eight villas were registered in their names at Rs 16.5 lakh each. Their two sons reportedly purchased four villas each at around Rs 15 lakh apiece, while four more villas were registered in the names of Mathur’s parents at approximately Rs 16.5 lakh each.
The ACB is also examining whether Agrawal accumulated assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
PROPERTIES LEASED BACK TO THE SELLER
Shikhar Agarwal’s family entered into registered lease agreements with Goyal Fashions, the same company from which the properties were purchased.
Under the agreements, each Udaipur cottage was leased back to the company for Rs 4 lakh annually, while each Alwar villa was leased for Rs 5 lakh a year.
Together, the 40 properties were expected to generate Rs 1.80 crore in annual lease income — Rs 80 lakh from Udaipur and Rs 1 crore from Alwar.
The ACB has flagged another detail in the transactions. The special concessional financial package for Goyal Fashions was issued on March 27, 2026, the same day Agrawal allegedly registered 20 villas at the Alwar resort.
QUESTIONS OVER PROPERTY DISCLOSURE
The purchases have also drawn scrutiny over the officers’ annual property declarations.
Shikhar Agrawal’s property return, filed on January 7, 2026, reportedly listed 14 properties. Prashakha Mathur’s return, filed a day later, reportedly declared no property.
The 40 properties were registered in the names of Agrawal, Mathur, their two sons and Mathur’s parents. Prashakha Mathur completed the registrations on behalf of her sons through a power of attorney.
The ACB’s investigation will examine the alleged misuse of official position, the benefits extended to Goyal Fashions and the source of funds used to acquire the properties.
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