Why Is Former Congress Minister Khachariyawas Politicising a Criminal Case?

By S.P. Mittal
Jaipur, April 16

The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) recent action in Jaipur has sparked a political storm, with senior Congress leader and former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas claiming it to be a politically motivated move. However, the ED’s raid on April 15 was not directed at him, but at his elder brother, Karan Singh Rathore, in connection with the multi-crore PACL scam.

PACL (Pearl Agrotech Corporation Limited) is accused of collecting nearly ₹50,000 crore from approximately 5.8 crore people across India under a fraudulent investment scheme. Among the victims are around 28 lakh people from Rajasthan, who together invested about ₹2,850 crore in the company.

Karan Singh Rathore, a Jaipur-based transport businessman, worked with PACL and was involved in purchasing land on its behalf across Rajasthan. As a result, he and his family are reported to have earned profits from the dealings. With ongoing efforts to recover the embezzled funds, central agencies like the CBI and ED have intensified their investigations, leading to the recent raid at a Civil Lines property jointly owned by the Rathore family.

While the action was specifically against Karan Singh Rathore, Khachariyawas reacted strongly, branding it as a political vendetta by the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Rajasthan. He asserted that he was being targeted for speaking out against the BJP and claimed that such intimidation tactics wouldn’t silence him.

Interestingly, the house raided by the ED belongs to their late father, Lakshman Singh Rathore. Khachariyawas, whose own residence is in Bani Park, chose to politicize the raid by declaring that the house will now be renamed “Kranti Sadan” and will serve as the launchpad for a campaign to “uproot” BJP governments from power.

What raised eyebrows was his attempt to invoke the legacy of former Vice President and BJP stalwart late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat—his paternal uncle—suggesting that the ED action was an insult to Shekhawat’s legacy. Yet, the ED made no mention of any investigation into Khachariyawas himself, and sources confirm the questioning was solely aimed at Karan Singh Rathore. However, reports suggest that a financial trail involving ₹33 crore may have links to Khachariyawas.

Throughout the day, the Congress leader made multiple appearances before the media, loudly asserting that he is “not afraid.” Still, he refrained from commenting on his brother’s role or the PACL scam. Instead, he threatened retribution under a future Rahul Gandhi-led government, raising further questions about his motivations.

If Khachariyawas truly stands unafraid, observers are asking:

• Why is he seeking public sympathy by evoking the name of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat?
• Why the need to issue political threats and mobilize supporters outside a family home?
• Why remain silent on the allegations against his brother?

Despite the optics and public drama, ED officials have not confirmed any interrogation or charges against Pratap Singh Khachariyawas. Yet, several Congress leaders continue to frame the ED action as an attack on their colleague, further fuelling the narrative of political victimhood.

In a case involving a ₹50,000 crore financial fraud, the focus should remain on justice for lakhs of defrauded citizens—not political deflection.