Former Haryana Chief Secretary and former World Bank executive director Dhanendra Kumar Garg passed away after a fire broke out at his residence in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area late on Thursday night, police officials said. He was 80 years old.
According to the police, The incident took place around 11.18 pm, when a PCR call was received at the Hauz Khas police station reporting a fire at Garg’s residence. Police teams, along with personnel from the Delhi Fire Services, rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the information. Two fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading further inside the house.
Officials said that at least five people, including family members and domestic staff, were present inside the residence when the fire erupted. In the chaos that followed, Garg and his son sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment. While doctors tried to save him, Garg succumbed to his injuries during treatment. His son suffered burn injuries and remains under medical care, officials added.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire may have been triggered by a blast in an indoor air-conditioner unit installed inside the house. Police officials said statements of eyewitnesses and family members have been recorded as part of the investigation. Authorities have ruled out any foul play in the incident so far, though further inquiry will continue after technical and forensic reports are examined.
Dhanendra Kumar Garg was a highly respected bureaucrat and administrator with decades of experience in governance, public policy and economic administration. A 1967-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, he held several important positions during his distinguished career in government service.
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Apart from serving as the Chief Secretary of Haryana, Garg also headed major national institutions, including the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Over the years, he held several other key assignments, including Telecom Secretary, GST Chairman and Excise Commissioner, where he played a significant role in shaping administrative and economic policies.
After retiring from active government service, Garg continued to contribute at the international level and later served as executive director at the World Bank. His work in governance, infrastructure development and economic management earned him recognition as one of the country’s most experienced senior bureaucrats.
Originally hailing from Gangoh in Uttar Pradesh, Garg was widely regarded for his administrative expertise, leadership qualities and deep understanding of public administration. News of his death has shocked former colleagues, officials and members of the administrative fraternity, many of whom remembered him as a dedicated civil servant with an exceptional career spanning several decades.
Police said further investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
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