Bhopal Retired IAS Officer Murder Probe Turns To ₹5 Crore Fraud Cases For Possible Lead

A financial probe has surfaced in the murder investigation of former IAS officer Rakesh Agrawal. According to the police, Agrawal had filed two separate fraud cases amounting to Rs 5 crore against Ajit Patni and Avdhesh Dubey in the past 11 months. Both cases are pending in the court, with an important hearing scheduled for the first week of October.

Agrawal's wife, Nishi Agrawal, provided a fresh lead when she recorded her statement before the investigating officer on Friday. Police are now investigating Agrawal's recent financial transactions, investments, and the people associated with them to determine if any old financial dispute could be linked to the murder. They are also examining other transactions in which Agrawal allegedly invested crores of rupees.

The cyber team is analyzing his communications over the past year, including calls and interactions, while investigators are identifying individuals who were in contact with him shortly before his death. The search for the suspected murderer, Varun Kumar, continues, with teams questioning his family members, friends, and acquaintances across Delhi, Punjab, Agra, and western Uttar Pradesh.

So far, around 18 senior police officers are working on different aspects of the investigation. Police recovered Agrawal's smartphone from Agra, which was found by another individual who switched it on and started using it. Agrawal's son, Siddhant, performed the last rites at Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat on Friday, with his American wife also paying her respects. Several IAS and IPS officers attended the funeral.