Jaipur, Nov. 12 -- Senior IAS officer and additional chief secretary Shikhar Agarwal, who was placed on awaiting posting orders (APO) amid allegations concerning the purchase and leaseback of around 40 villas and cottages, returned to Jaipur from the United States and reported to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday, officials familiar with the development said on Wednesday. According to officials familiar with the matter, Agarwal reported to DoPT shortly after returning to Jaipur. His return comes nearly two weeks after the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) on October 31 into allegations surrounding the property transactions. Officials said that the personnel department had sought preliminary explanations from Agarwal regarding the allegations, and a copy of his responses has reportedly been forwarded to the ACB. However, there was no official confirmation regarding the contents of his explanation or the specific questions raised by the department. The controversy centres on allegations involving the purchase of around 40 villas and cottages and their subsequent leaseback arrangements. The transactions have come under scrutiny over questions concerning the acquisition of the properties, their financial arrangements and disclosures made by the officer. Agarwal's wife, senior IPS officer Dr Prashakha Mathur, has also come under scrutiny in connection with the matter. Both officers were placed on APO following the emergence of the allegations. The ACB initiated its preliminary enquiry against Agarwal on October 31 after obtaining the necessary permission from the state government. The enquiry is intended to examine the allegations and determine whether there is sufficient material to warrant further investigation. Separately, personnel department had sought an explanation from Agarwal regarding allegations of concealment of property-related information, giving him seven days to respond. His return from the United States is significant as the ACB's preliminary enquiry remains underway and the personnel department is examining the allegations concerning the property transactions. HT attempted to contact Agarwal over the phone and also sent him a message seeking his response to the allegations concerning the purchase and leaseback of the villas and cottages, as well as the explanation reportedly submitted to the ACB and the personnel department. However, no response was received....