Jaipur, Oct 30: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday demanded a probe by Central agencies into alleged large-scale property purchases by a senior IAS officer and his family, calling it the biggest scandal under the Bhajanlal Sharma government.
His remarks came after the state government placed the IAS officer, Shikhar Agrawal, on Awaiting Posting Orders citing administrative reasons, following media reports about the alleged property transactions.
Speaking to reporters at his residence, Gehlot said the allegations were serious.
Questioning the role of the Chief Minister's Office, he said Sharma should personally explain what action is being taken by his government.
"This is the biggest scandal to have surfaced during Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's nearly three-year tenure. He should take responsibility," Gehlot demanded.
The senior Congress leader said merely placing the officer on Awaiting Posting Orders or ordering an Anti-Corruption Bureau inquiry would not be sufficient.
"The case should be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate. A thorough investigation will bring out the truth," he said.
Gehlot also said the officer, who is said to be abroad currently, should return immediately and clarify his position before the media.
