Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 29: Dhanendra Kumar, retired IAS officer and the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), died following a fire triggered by a suspected air-conditioner blast at his residence in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area late Thursday night.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 11.18 pm when a fire reportedly broke out inside the house after a suspected blast in the indoor unit of an air-conditioner.
A total of five people, including family members and domestic staff, were present in the house at the time of the incident.
Police personnel and fire department teams rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations while simultaneously trying to contain the blaze.
The 80-year-old former bureaucrat and his son were shifted to a nearby hospital. While Dhanendra Kumar succumbed during treatment due to smoke inhalation, his son sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment. Officials said he is out of danger.
Police and forensic teams have ruled out foul play in the incident. Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire may have been caused by an AC unit malfunction.
Dhanendra Kumar, a 1968-batch IAS officer, had a distinguished administrative career spanning several decades. He served in various senior positions in both the Central and Haryana governments and played a major role in shaping India’s economic and competition policies.
He held key positions including Secretary in the Ministries of Defence, Road Transport and Highways, and Culture. He also served as Chairman and Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Corporation.
From 2005 to 2009, he represented India at the World Bank as Executive Director for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.
Kumar became the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India in 2009 and played a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s competition law framework and monitoring fair market practices.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs had also appointed him to head a committee for preparing the National Competition Policy, while the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation formed the SAPREP Committee under his leadership to simplify real-estate approval procedures.
In Haryana, he served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and also headed the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC). He was honoured with the National Citizens Award by the Haryana government for his contribution to industrial development.
Even after retirement, Kumar remained active in policy and corporate advisory roles. He was the founding chairman of Competition Advisory Services India LLP (COMPAD) and served as mentor and advisor in the field of competition law and public policy.