The Rajasthan government on Friday approved an investigation against senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal following an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) assessment that there was “prima facie evidence” of his alleged collusion with a private company.

According to the ACB, Agrawal allegedly colluded with a private firm, “abusing his position and influence, thereby conferring undue benefits upon himself and the related company, and causing substantial financial loss to the state government.” The state government has now granted approval for a detailed investigation against Agrawal under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Late on Friday, ACB Director General Govind Gupta said the bureau had examined reports published in Dainik Bhaskar and a factual report received from the Department of Industries.…