Chandigarh: Troubles are mounting for Haryana’s well-known retired IAS officer Ashok Khemka (1991-batch) after a protest petition was filed in a Panchkula court over alleged illegal appointments in the Haryana State Warehousing Corporation during 2009–10. The petition, filed by advocate Ravindra Kumar, challenges the closure report submitted by the police and alleges manipulation, procedural lapses, and undue influence from a senior IAS officer related to Khemka.
The court has now sought a response from the Haryana government, with the next hearing scheduled for February 6, 2026.
Allegations Point to Pressure from IAS Relative
The petition specifically names IAS Pankaj Agarwal, Administrative Secretary in the Agriculture Department and Khemka’s brother-in-law. It claims the current Managing Director of Warehousing, IAS Dr. Shaleen, is functioning under pressure from Agarwal, affecting the investigation and internal reporting.
Case Rooted in 2009–10 Recruitment During Hooda Govt
The case concerns the appointment of 25 employees, including two managers, allegedly in violation of recruitment rules. These appointments took place when Khemka served as MD of the Warehousing Corporation.
A departmental inquiry found the recruitments irregular, citing that one post was advertised while two were appointed.
Then-MD Sanjeev Verma, who succeeded Khemka, recommended filing a chargesheet against Khemka and suspension of two officers involved.
FIR and Key Allegations Highlighted in the Protest Petition
The protest petition traces the roots of the controversy back to April 26, 2022, when advocate Ravindra Kumar lodged an FIR alleging that the Warehousing Corporation had bypassed recruitment norms while filling Manager Grade-I posts in 2009–10. He argues that the selection process violated several conditions mentioned in the 2009 advertisement and enabled ineligible candidates to secure appointments.
A major contention raised in the petition is the manner in which the police attempted to close the case. According to the petitioner, the investigating officer submitted an Untraced Closure Report, claiming the probe couldn’t progress because approval required under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was not granted. The petitioner insists that this justification is legally flawed and was used as an excuse to shut the matter prematurely.
The petition also criticizes the investigation itself, pointing out that key evidence was allegedly overlooked. It states that IAS Roshan Lal, who headed the interview panel, had formally communicated to the Chief Secretary in May 2022 that the appointments were improper—yet this document was reportedly ignored during the inquiry.
Further, the protest petition calls out several inconsistencies in the closure report, noting that the investigating agency invoked Section 17A selectively. While the section was cited to justify inaction against some individuals, it was not applied to others, including officials whose approving authority was the Warehousing MD.
Another major objection is procedural: the petitioner says the closure report was filed in a court that legally lacks jurisdiction to hear offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Despite this, the matter continued to be heard for months, and statements of certain officials were recorded even though they were allegedly not authorized to represent the complainant.
Lastly, the plea alleges that pressure from a senior IAS officer—who is also a relative of Ashok Khemka—may have influenced the functioning of the current Warehousing MD, leading to misleading statements being placed on record.
Court Seeks Government Response
Chief Judicial Magistrate Arpana Bhardwaj noted that the complainant’s case had been recorded earlier by a special magistrate and acknowledged the plea to transfer the case to a competent court.
The Haryana government has been directed to file its reply by February 6, 2026.
Who Is Ashok Khemka?
Born in Kolkata to a modest family—his father was a clerk in a jute mill—Khemka is known as one of India’s most transferred bureaucrats, having faced 57 transfers in 33 years.
Educational & Career Highlights
- B.Tech in Computer Science from IIT Kharagpur, topped his department
- PhD in Computer Science
- MBA in Business Administration & Finance
- Joined IAS in 1991, Haryana cadre
- Retired on April 30, 2024, felicitated by Minister Anil Vij
Key Controversies
- 2012: Cancelled mutation of a land deal involving Robert Vadra and DLF, bringing him national attention.
- 2014: As Transport Commissioner, denied fitness certificates to large commercial vehicles, triggering a statewide strike.
- 2023: Wrote to the Haryana CM seeking posting in Vigilance, stating corruption “pains his soul” and that he had “sacrificed his career” fighting it.
Read also: Haryana Elevates 1993-Batch Senior IPS Officers Mittal and Chawla to Director General of Police
