Shimla, June 7
Retired Army Intelligence officer Manoj Kaushal has submitted a complaint to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) alleging that Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS officer Rakesh Prajapati was involved in business activities through proxy entities while serving in the state administration.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Kaushal said copies of the complaint had also been forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and the Chief Secretary of the state.
Kaushal alleged that during his tenure as a Deputy Commissioner, Prajapati facilitated the establishment of an industrial unit at Pandoga in Una district in the name of his sister-in-law, who is reportedly residing in Singapore.
He further claimed that pharmaceutical companies operating in the Baddi-Nalagarh industrial belt were allegedly pressured to procure ampoules from the said unit.
The retired officer also alleged that while serving as Deputy Commissioner Kangra, the IAS officer acquired interests in a stone crusher unit through an associate identified as Rahul Pathania. He further claimed that land had been purchased in the Tricity region of Punjab through related entities.
Kaushal additionally alleged that a hospitality project, identified as Hotel Himalayan Outrail, was being developed in the Dharamshala area and linked it to the officer. He claimed that the officer’s declared monthly income had increased from around Rs 70,000 to approximately Rs 3.5 lakh over the years.
Expressing concern over reports that the officer may seek Central deputation, Kaushal urged both the Centre and the state government not to clear such a move until the allegations are thoroughly investigated. According to him, a transfer to a Central posting could potentially hamper any inquiry into the matter.
Kaushal further alleged that some bureaucrats in the state were being permitted to engage in business activities, resulting in personal enrichment while the state’s economic condition continued to deteriorate.
There was no immediate response available from IAS officer Rakesh Prajapati regarding the allegations. The claims made by Kaushal could not be independently verified, and no official statement has yet been issued by the state government or the Central Vigilance Commission on the complaint.
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