The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a probe and conducted raids at the residence of Ramesh Abhishek, a seasoned 1982 batch IAS officer, in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The investigation also involves his daughter, Vaneesa Agrawal, as per sources familiar with the matter.
Ramesh Abhishek, known for his pivotal roles in various government initiatives such as the Make in India and Startup India campaigns, served as the former secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and was also the ex-chairman of the Forward Markets Commission (FMC). His professional trajectory includes significant contributions to policy-making under the Narendra Modi government.
The FIR against Ramesh Abhishek and his daughter stems from a December 2023 directive issued by the anti-corruption watchdog Lokpal, highlighting alleged irregularities in financial transactions involving the former civil servant and his daughter during his tenures at DPIIT and FMC. Sections 12 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with sections 120 B and 109 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), form the basis of the charges against them.
In its order, Lokpal raised concerns regarding dubious transactions purportedly linked to Ramesh Abhishek and Agrawal from companies associated with the former bureaucrat during his stints at DPIIT and FMC. The matter gained momentum in August 2022 when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was instructed to assess Abhishek’s property in Delhi’s Greater Kailash area.
Despite legal challenges, including a plea dismissed by the Delhi High Court, investigations into the alleged financial irregularities continued. Last January, an open inquiry was ordered by Lokpal following the submission of the ED’s initial inquiry report. Abhishek reportedly disclosed earnings of Rs 2.7 crore as professional fees post-retirement during an affidavit filed before the anti-corruption body.
Furthermore, a separate investigation into Abhishek’s potential involvement in a case of investor fraud concerning the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) was ordered by a Mumbai court in May 2023. This probe traces back to 2013, during Abhishek’s tenure as FMC chairman, and is currently under review in the Bombay High Court.
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Ramesh Abhishek underscores the complexities and challenges within India’s bureaucratic and regulatory landscape, shedding light on the imperative of accountability and transparency within public service. As investigations unfold, the outcomes of these legal proceedings will undoubtedly shape perceptions of governance and integrity in the country.
Aastha Kumari 
Dhairya Saraswat