Former Chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and retired IAS officer Dhanendra Kumar died late Wednesday night after a fire, suspected to have been triggered by an air-conditioner malfunction, broke out at his residence in Hauz Khas, South Delhi, officials said.
His son, Gaurav Kumar, sustained injuries in the incident and is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Trauma Centre. Family members and domestic staff were also present in the house at the time of the fire.
According to the Delhi Police, the incident occurred around 11:18 pm at the ground-plus-two-storey residence in Hauz Khas. A Police Control Room call was received shortly after the fire broke out, prompting teams from the Delhi Fire Services and police to rush to the spot.
Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated in the indoor unit of an air conditioner, likely due to a short circuit. The blaze rapidly spread through the house, filling it with thick smoke and making evacuation difficult.
Two fire tenders, including a water bowser, were deployed to the site. Firefighters and police personnel carried out rescue operations, managing to evacuate five individuals from the residence, including Dhanendra Kumar, his son, his wife, and two domestic staff members.
Officials said Kumar and his son were immediately shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre. While Gaurav Kumar’s condition is stated to be stable, Dhanendra Kumar succumbed to smoke inhalation during treatment, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal.
“The fire originated in the AC unit, and Dhanendra Kumar succumbed to smoke inhalation during treatment,” Mittal said.
The blaze was brought under control by approximately 12:20 am. Officials confirmed that household items on the ground floor and wooden fixtures on the upper floor were damaged.
Eyewitnesses and neighbours reported hearing a loud sound before smoke rapidly engulfed the house. Some residents assisted in early rescue efforts before emergency services arrived. However, questions were later raised in the locality regarding response time, with some residents alleging delays in emergency services reaching the site, though these claims were not officially confirmed.
A neighbour said that residents attempted to control the fire using water pipes and buckets, and also sought assistance from the nearby police station for a fire extinguisher before fire tenders arrived.
Meanwhile, a domestic staff member present during the incident stated that the fire began in the air conditioner and spread quickly due to a suspected electrical fault. He said the immediate priority was evacuating family members, including Kumar’s wife, who was wheelchair-bound.
A forensic team and crime unit have inspected the site, and an electrical assessment is underway to determine the exact cause of the blaze. Police officials stated that eyewitness accounts have been recorded and that no foul play is suspected at this stage.
Kumar, a 1968-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, had a distinguished administrative career spanning several decades. He served in key positions in the Haryana government, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, and later held senior posts in various Union ministries such as Defence Production, Road Transport and Highways, and Culture.
He retired in 2005 as Secretary in the Department of Defence Production and went on to serve as Executive Director representing India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan at the World Bank from 2005 to 2009.
In 2009, he became the first Chairman of the CCI, where he played a foundational role in strengthening India’s competition law framework. Post-retirement, he remained active in policy and advisory roles, including founding Competition Advisory Services India LLP and contributing to the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
Follow us
