Gujarat Govt orders compulsory retirement of two IAS officers

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has compulsorily retired two IAS officers, including former Surendranagar Collector K. Rajesh and Additional Development Commissioner Gaurav Dahiya, on October 1, in an action against officials facing serious allegations and departmental proceedings.

The action, reportedly taken under the government’s ongoing drive against corruption and misconduct, has drawn attention as both officers had faced controversies and inquiries during their service.

K. Rajesh had been under suspension

Kankipati Rajesh, a 2011-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, had been under suspension for several years following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged corruption during his tenure as Surendranagar Collector.

Rajesh served as Surendranagar Collector between 2017 and 2021. The CBI registered a case against him in May 2022 over allegations that he had accepted bribes in exchange for official favours, including issuing arms licences to allegedly ineligible applicants, allotting government land and regularising encroachments.

According to the CBI chargesheet, investigators found evidence of alleged bribes and gifts worth around ₹98,000, which were allegedly deposited into the bank account of his alleged intermediary, Surat-based businessman Md Rafiq Memon. The investigation also examined allegations involving fabricated invoices.

ED money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) subsequently initiated a money laundering investigation based on the CBI case. The agency arrested Rajesh in August 2022 as part of its probe into his assets and financial transactions involving him and his family members.

In October 2022, the ED filed a prosecution complaint before the PMLA court against Rajesh and co-accused Rafiq Memon. The agency alleged that illegal gratification had been obtained from members of the public in exchange for performing official duties.

Rajesh is a 2011-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer from Andhra Pradesh. He holds a B.Tech degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Pondicherry Central University and secured 103rd rank in the 2010 UPSC Civil Services Examination. He began his administrative career as an Assistant Collector in Junagadh and later served as an Assistant Collector and District Development Officer in Surat before becoming Surendranagar Collector.

Gaurav Dahiya also compulsorily retired

The government has also compulsorily retired Gaurav Dahiya, a 2010-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer who was serving as Additional Development Commissioner.

Dahiya had previously faced allegations from a woman in 2019, including claims of fraud and criminal intimidation. Following the allegations, the state government constituted an inquiry committee and suspended him.

He remained under suspension for nearly four years before returning to service in July 2023. He was subsequently appointed Additional Development Commissioner.

Following a review of his service, the government has now decided to compulsorily retire Dahiya with effect from October 1, 2026. DeshGujarat