CBI, ED must probe Rajasthan ACS Shikhar Agarwal case, demands Gehlot
Synopsis
Former CM Ashok Gehlot has escalated the Shikhar Agarwal controversy into a direct assault on CM Bhajan Lal Sharma's office — alleging villa acquisitions, a concession-granting meeting chaired by Sharma himself, a physical altercation involving the CM's family, and a relative listed as an absconder roaming freely. Calling it the biggest scandal of Sharma's tenure, Gehlot says only a CBI and ED probe can establish the truth.
Key Takeaways
Ashok Gehlot on 30 October 2026 demanded CBI and ED probes into the Shikhar Agarwal controversy in Rajasthan.
Agarwal, an IAS officer and Additional Chief Secretary, was placed on APO status amid reports of alleged acquisition of 40 villas .
Gehlot alleged a meeting chaired by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma granted concessions to the company linked to the villas.
He referred to an alleged physical altercation involving Agarwal, CM Sharma , and family members, and questioned Agarwal's subsequent posting in Udaipur .
Gehlot also alleged CM Sharma's relative Pramod Sharma — listed as an absconder — was moving freely in Jaipur after a prior case was reportedly closed before Sharma took charge.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday, 30 October 2026, demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into the controversy surrounding senior IAS officer and Additional Chief Secretary Shikhar Agarwal, calling it the biggest scandal to emerge during Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's nearly three-year tenure. Gehlot said placing the officer on Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) status was wholly insufficient and called for a full federal investigation.
What the Controversy Involves
The controversy centres on reports that 40 villas were allegedly acquired at once in connection with Agarwal, who served as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and later as Chairman of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. Gehlot described the revelations as 'shocking' and, in a pointed remark referencing the officer's name, said Agarwal had reached the 'shikhar' — or pinnacle — of such activities.
Gehlot also alleged that a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sharma had granted concessions to the company linked to the villas allegedly provided to Agarwal. He questioned the basis on which those concessions were approved, arguing they reflected a disregard for established administrative norms.
Allegations Against the Chief Minister's Office
'The Chief Minister must take responsibility and come forward to answer the allegations being raised against him and the CMO. Simply placing an officer on APO status will not be enough. The matter should be handed over to the CBI and ED. Only an investigation by these agencies can establish the truth,' Gehlot said.
He alleged that decisions implicating the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had been taken at the highest levels of the government, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability. Gehlot also questioned the transfer of an Inspector General-rank officer — earlier associated with the CMO — to Inspector General of Police, Udaipur, describing it as a pattern worth scrutiny.
Alleged Physical Altercation and Subsequent Posting
Gehlot referred to reports of an alleged physical altercation involving Agarwal, Chief Minister Sharma, and members of the Chief Minister's family a few months ago. He claimed a serious incident had taken place in the Chief Minister's presence and alleged that a slap had been exchanged during the confrontation.
He questioned why Agarwal was subsequently given what he described as a prime posting in Udaipur. 'If the intention had been to punish him, he would not have been given such an important posting. Perhaps the posting was meant to ensure his silence so that he would not speak about the incident,' Gehlot alleged.
He further described the Udaipur Development Authority as a major centre of alleged corruption that had developed during Agarwal's tenure as Udaipur Collector, and alleged that networks of intermediaries were operating in the region while evading the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Pramod Sharma Allegations
Gehlot also levelled fresh allegations against Chief Minister Sharma over his relative, Pramod Sharma, whom he claimed was listed as an absconder in police records yet was reportedly moving around freely in Jaipur.
'This is the same Pramod Sharma who was arrested in Bharatpur during my tenure. The case against him was closed even before the new Chief Minister formally took charge. We chose not to comment at the time, expecting that the new Chief Minister would examine the matter himself,' Gehlot said.
He alleged that the case was closed due to political influence and questioned why fresh controversies were surfacing instead of earlier matters being revisited.
Context and What Comes Next
This is the latest in a series of political confrontations between Gehlot's Congress and the BJP government in Rajasthan since Sharma took office. Gehlot recalled advising Sharma at their first meeting after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was formed to keep relatives away from government affairs and maintain a corruption-free administration — advice he said had not been heeded. The BJP government is yet to formally respond to Gehlot's latest set of allegations, and it remains to be seen whether the Centre will order a federal probe.
Point of View
Named relatives, a reported physical altercation, and a number (40 villas) that is easy to verify or refute. The BJP government's silence so far only amplifies the questions. The deeper issue is institutional — if an IAS officer of Additional Chief Secretary rank can be simultaneously embroiled in villa acquisition allegations and then posted to a 'prime' position, it points to a governance credibility problem that a CBI referral alone may not fix.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shikhar Agarwal controversy in Rajasthan?
The controversy involves allegations that senior IAS officer and Additional Chief Secretary Shikhar Agarwal was linked to the acquisition of 40 villas, with opposition leader Ashok Gehlot alleging that concessions were granted to an associated company in a meeting chaired by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. Agarwal has been placed on Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) status amid the furore.
Why is Ashok Gehlot demanding a CBI and ED probe?
Gehlot argues that placing the officer on APO status is insufficient and that only a CBI and ED investigation can establish the truth, given his allegation that decisions were taken at the highest levels of the government including the Chief Minister's Office. He has called it the biggest scandal of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma's nearly three-year tenure.
What did Gehlot allege about a physical altercation involving Shikhar Agarwal?
Gehlot alleged that a serious physical altercation — reportedly involving a slap — took place between Agarwal, CM Sharma, and members of the Chief Minister's family a few months ago. He questioned why Agarwal was subsequently given a prime posting in Udaipur rather than being penalised, suggesting the transfer was meant to ensure the officer's silence.
Who is Pramod Sharma and why is he relevant?
Pramod Sharma is alleged to be a relative of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. Gehlot claims Pramod Sharma is listed as an absconder in police records yet is reportedly moving freely in Jaipur. Gehlot alleged that a case against Pramod Sharma, in which he was arrested in Bharatpur during Gehlot's own tenure as CM, was closed even before Sharma formally took charge as Chief Minister.
What has the Rajasthan BJP government said in response?
As of the time of reporting, the BJP government in Rajasthan had not formally responded to Gehlot's specific allegations. The government's only visible action so far has been placing Shikhar Agarwal on APO status, which Gehlot has described as wholly inadequate.
