Jaipur

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, flagging why the bureau has not taken a decision on registering an FIR.

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.