The Rajasthan government has launched a detailed Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into allegations that senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal misused his official position to extend undue benefits to a private hospitality company and acquired multiple resort villas for himself and his family members at prices far below their market value.
The investigation will examine the alleged links between Agrawal, who until recently served as Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, and the directors of Goyal Fashions Private Limited, which operates hotels and resorts under the Ananta brand. The allegations include the grant of concessions to the company, relaxations in resort construction conditions, approvals allegedly issued without proper verification of mandatory certificates, and the acquisition of properties in the names of Agrawal and his relatives.
The ACB’s preliminary investigation centres on Agrawal’s conduct during his postings in several senior administrative positions, including District Collector of Udaipur, chairman of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department. A second group of properties under investigation is located at Ananta Resort in Ajabgarh, Alwar. The state government’s approval follows a preliminary inquiry by the Rajasthan ACB, which examined a media report published by Dainik Bhaskar on October 27, a report received from the Industries Department and information gathered from confidential sources. ACB Director General Govind Gupta said the government had granted prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, to investigate the allegations against Agrawal, the company’s directors and other individuals connected with the matter. The Finance Department issued a special concessional financial package to Goyal Fashions Private Limited on March 27, 2026, according to the ACB. Investigators also found information indicating that 20 villas were registered in the names of Agrawal and his family members on the same date.
The officer allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with the company’s directors and used his official position to secure benefits for both himself and the private company, potentially causing substantial financial losses to the state government, according to the preliminary findings cited by the ACB. Eight villas were allegedly purchased in the names of Agrawal and his wife, with four registered in each of their names, according to information gathered during the preliminary inquiry.
