Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has compulsorily retired two IAS officers — K. Rajesh and Gaurav Dahiya — with effect from October 1, 2026, before their normal superannuation.
The action followed a review of the officers’ service records under the applicable All India Services rules. Reports have described the move as part of the state’s ongoing “Operation Gangajal”, although the retirement decision itself has been linked to the review process and the officers’ service records. The Department of Personnel and Training approved the premature retirements.
The two officers have different service histories. Rajesh had been under suspension since 2022 after his arrest in a CBI corruption case and subsequent proceedings by the Enforcement Directorate. Dahiya, meanwhile, had been suspended in 2019 following allegations made by a Delhi-based woman, but was reinstated in 2023 and was serving as Additional Development Commissioner before his compulsory retirement.
Inside Gujarat’s Operation Gangajal
“Operation Gangajal” has been described as the Gujarat government’s reported action against officials facing allegations of corruption, misconduct or other serious service-related issues.
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The latest compulsory retirement of Rajesh and Dahiya has been reported in this context. However, the two cases have different backgrounds and should be examined separately rather than treating both officers as having been found guilty of the same type of misconduct.
The retirement orders themselves were issued under the applicable All India Services service rules following a review of the officers’ records. The use of the term “Operation Gangajal” in reports therefore provides the broader administrative context but does not, by itself, establish criminal guilt against either officer.
Who Is K. Rajesh?
Kankipati Rajesh is a 2011-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer. He is originally from Andhra Pradesh and holds a B.Tech degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Pondicherry Central University. He secured 103rd rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2010.
Rajesh began his administrative career as an Assistant Collector in Junagadh and later served as an Assistant Collector and District Development Officer in Surat. He subsequently served as Collector of Surendranagar from April 2018 to June 2021.
What Is the Case Against K. Rajesh?
The CBI registered a case concerning allegations of corruption during Rajesh’s tenure as Surendranagar Collector. The agency later filed a chargesheet alleging that illegal gratification was received in connection with the issuance of arms licences, allotment of government land and regularisation of encroached government land for allegedly ineligible beneficiaries.
The CBI investigation cited an alleged ₹98,000 payment deposited into the account of businessman Md. Rafiq Memon, whom the agency identified as a co-accused. The investigation also referred to alleged forged invoices and electronic records. These are allegations contained in the criminal investigation and chargesheet, not findings of guilt.
The Enforcement Directorate subsequently initiated a money-laundering investigation based on the CBI case. The ED arrested Rajesh on August 6, 2022 and later filed a prosecution complaint before the Special PMLA Court in Ahmedabad. The agency alleged that illegal gratification generated proceeds of crime and said it had attached assets worth about ₹1.55 crore.
A later Delhi High Court proceeding records that Rajesh was subsequently granted bail. The underlying criminal and PMLA proceedings should therefore not be described as convictions.
Who Is Gaurav Dahiya?
Gaurav Dahiya is a 2010-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer. He holds an MBBS degree and entered the IAS through direct recruitment. Before his latest posting, he served in positions including Assistant Collector, District Development Officer, Deputy Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission.
Dahiya was serving as Additional Development Commissioner in Gandhinagar when the government ordered his compulsory retirement. He had been appointed to the post after his reinstatement in July 2023.
What Was the Controversy Involving Gaurav Dahiya?
In 2019, a Delhi-based woman accused Dahiya of bigamy, cheating and other forms of misconduct. The Gujarat government constituted a five-member inquiry committee to examine the allegations and subsequently suspended him in August 2019 on grounds described at the time as misconduct and moral turpitude.
Dahiya denied the allegations and later said that he had been “honey trapped” and blackmailed. He also said that Delhi Police had given him a clean chit in the complaint. Reports at the time noted that the Gujarat government’s own inquiry was separate from the Delhi Police proceedings.
The Gujarat government revoked his suspension in July 2023 and appointed him Additional Development Commissioner in Gandhinagar.
Why Were the Two Officers Retired?
According to reports on the government’s latest decision, the retirements followed a review of the officers’ service records under the All India Services rules, including their suitability for continued service. A committee headed by the Gujarat Chief Secretary reviewed the records, after which the Department of Personnel and Training approved the premature retirements.
The orders took effect on October 1, 2026. The action is therefore a compulsory/premature retirement from government service, rather than a dismissal following a criminal conviction.
The simultaneous action against the two officers has attracted attention because of their different disciplinary histories: Rajesh had remained under suspension amid CBI and ED proceedings, while Dahiya had returned to service after a prolonged suspension before being retired following the latest service review.
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