Senior IAS Shikhar Agarwal Sent on APO Over 40 Villas Deal

In a massive administrative shake-up across Rajasthan's governance corridors, the state government has placed senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Industries Department, Shikhar Agarwal, on Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) with immediate effect. The decisive disciplinary action against the prominent 1993-batch Rajasthan-cadre bureaucrat followed intense public scrutiny and administrative reviews triggered by an investigative controversy surrounding alleged disproportionate asset accumulation. The controversy stems from claims that the senior bureaucrat and his extended family members acquired extensive luxury real estate properties, precipitating his abrupt removal from multiple high-profile governance portfolios.Midnight Order by Department of Personnel: Stripped of Major Key ChargesThe state administration acted swiftly late Wednesday night to reassign the senior bureaucrat pending an official inquiry:Official Administrative Order: The Rajasthan Department of Personnel (DoP) issued an emergency notification late Wednesday night, signed by Joint Secretary Dheeraj Kumar Singh, placing Shikhar Agarwal on APO until further orders citing administrative exigencies.Key Portfolios Relinquished: Prior to this government sanction, Agarwal held substantial administrative clout, serving concurrently as Additional Chief Secretary for Industries and Commerce, MSME, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), Non-Resident Rajasthani (NRA), and the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP).Leadership at State Boards: The sudden reshuffle also strips him of key statutory chairmanships, including leadership posts at the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) and Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation (RAJSICO).Media Revelations: Purchase of Nearly 40 Luxury Villas and Cottages Under the ScannerThe administrative crackdown gained momentum following investigative media reports detailing large-scale real estate transactions by the officer's close circle:Massive Real Estate Acquisitions: Investigative media reports alleged that the senior bureaucrat, his wife, two sons, and in-laws acquired close to 40 luxury villas and cottages within a brief window of just two and a half years.Single Real Estate Firm Link: Financial trails cited in reports highlighted that these extensive residential assets were purchased almost exclusively from a single prominent real estate enterprise, raising severe questions regarding conflicts of interest and regulatory oversight.Ongoing High-Level Scrutiny: Following public outrage and administrative consultations at the highest governmental level, the state leadership moved quickly to initiate an official administrative inquiry to probe the transactions and asset declarations.