In an unfortunate incident of a suspected AC blast, noted former IAS officer and the first Chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Dhanendra Kumar, died at his home in Delhi’s Hauz Khas.
Police sources said a total of five people, including family members and domestic help, were present in the house at the time of the incident, which took place around 11:18 pm on Thursday.
According to an official, while 80-year-old Kumar died during treatment, his son is undergoing treatment and is stated to be out of danger.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire may have been triggered by a blast in the indoor unit of an air conditioner installed in the house that left Kumar’s house completely charred, with the floor and walls covered in thick ash and rubble.
Kumar is known for playing a key role in India’s bureaucracy and economic policies and also represented the country internationally while serving as the World Bank’s Executive Director for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan from November 2005 to January 2009. During this period, he worked on economic and development projects related to South Asian countries.
A 1968 batch Haryana cadre IAS officer, Kumar held several senior positions in the Central and Haryana governments and went on to play a pivotal role in key decisions related to the country’s competition law and economic reforms.
He served as Secretary in several key central government ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Culture.
Besides, he also served as Chairman and Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Corporation.
Dhanendra Kumar served as the first-ever chairman of the Competition Commission of India from February 2009 to June 2011.
During his tenure, several important steps were taken towards implementing competition law in India. The role of the CCI was strengthened to maintain fair competition in the market and monitor the monopoly of large companies.
Kumar also held several important positions in the Haryana government. He served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana, as well as Chairman and Managing Director of the Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC).
He was also awarded the National Citizens Award by the Haryana government for his contributions to the development of industrial parks in Haryana.
It was his outstanding contributions to public affairs that earned him an honorary doctorate.
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