Dhanendra Kumar, a former IAS officer and the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), died in a fire following a suspected AC blast at his home in Delhi's Hauz Khas, a prime location in the nation's capital. According to officials, his son is receiving care after suffering injuries.
Five persons, including family members and domestic assistance, were in the residence at the time of the event, which happened on Thursday at 11:18 p.m., according to the police.
To save the people inside the house and put out the fire, police squads and firefighters raced to the scene.The 80-year-old former IAS officer was transferred to a nearby hospital along with his son. According to an official, Kumar passed away during treatment from smoke inhalation, but his son is receiving treatment and is claimed to be safe.
No foul play has been suspected in the incident, according to police and crime teams.
According to preliminary investigations, a burst in the house's inside air conditioner unit may have started the fire.
Images revealed that Kumar's home was entirely destroyed by fire, with heavy ash and debris covering the walls and floor. A suitcase and a stack of charred clothing are also visible on the ground.

Dhanendra Kumar's lengthy career

Dhanendra Kumar, a retired IAS officer, was influential in India's economic policy and bureaucracy.
Dhanendra Kumar, who was born in 1946, started working as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer in the 1968 batch. He served in the Central and Haryana governments in a number of high-level capacities. Later on, he was instrumental in choices pertaining to economic reforms and the nation's competition law.
The Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Culture were among the core government ministries in which he held the position of Secretary. He oversaw administrative and national security issues as Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and he worked on highway and infrastructure projects at the Ministry of Road Transport.

In his capacity as Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, he was in charge of issues pertaining to the nation's institutions and cultural legacy.
Additionally, he was the Rural Electrification Corporation's Chairman and Managing Director.
Additionally, Kumar represented India abroad. He was the World Bank's Executive Director for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan from November 2005 until January 2009. He worked on development and economic initiatives pertaining to South Asian nations throughout this time.
Among the notable members of the Competition Commission of India's initial incarnation.
From February 2009 to June 2011, Dhanendra Kumar presided over the Competition Commission of India as its inaugural chairman. Several significant efforts toward the implementation of competition law in India were made during his term.

Additionally, a team headed by Dhanendra Kumar was established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to draft the National Competition Policy. The committee's job was to create new policies and amend competition law.
In order to streamline the approval process for real estate developments, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation established the SAPREP Committee, which he chaired.
Dhanendra Kumar held a number of significant roles in the Haryana government and contributed to the state's industrial development. He held the positions of Chairman and Managing Director of the Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana.

In recognition of his contributions to the growth of industrial parks in Haryana, the Haryana government also granted him the National Citizens Award.
For his exceptional contributions to public affairs, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate.
A protracted administrative process
Kumar held a number of posts in numerous Haryana districts during his early administrative career, including District Collector and other administrative roles. He was the Deputy Commissioner of Jind and Karnal. In addition, he served as Director of Industries, Labour Commissioner, and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, among other roles.
At the Indian Investment Centre in London, he held the position of Resident Director. In addition, he held positions in the Ministries of Communications, Agriculture, and Textiles.

Participate actively in media and policy issues
Kumar continued to be involved in corporate activities and public policy even after he retired. He was Competition Advisory Services India LLP's (COMPAD) original chairman. Additionally, he was the Chief Mentor and Principal Advisor of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs' School of Competition Law.