Full Breakdown
Gujarat Government Retires Two IAS Officers Under “Operation Gangajal”
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Thursday, the Gujarat government compulsorily retired two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of the Gujarat cadre—K Rajesh and Gaurav Dahiya. The retirements were executed under the anti-corruption drive dubbed “Operation Gangajal,” which targets officials facing corruption allegations, disciplinary proceedings, or serious misconduct.
Background & Context
“Operation Gangajal” is part of a broader review of IAS officers whose service records over the past 15 years were examined under the new All India Services Pension Rules. A committee headed by the state’s Chief Secretary conducted the review, and the Department of Personnel and Training of the Central government approved the retirements. Both officers had been subject to multiple investigations: Rajesh was under suspension since July 2022 and faced Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate probes for alleged bribery, illegal land allotments, and money-laundering linked to his tenure as Surendranagar collector (April 2018 – June 2021). Dahiya, suspended in August 2019 after a state inquiry found substance in bigamy and professional-misconduct allegations, later had his suspension revoked in July 2023 and served as Additional Development Commissioner in Gandhinagar before the latest action.
Data & Statistics
- K Rajesh – born 23 March 1986; IAS batch 2011; age 42; under suspension since July 2022; arrested by the CBI in 2022.
- Gaurav Dahiya – born 3 June 1984; IAS batch 2010; age 42; previously suspended in 2019; reinstated July 2023; held the post of Additional Development Commissioner until retirement.
- Both officers had roughly 18 years of service remaining; Dahiya was originally due to retire in 2044.
Official Statements & Responses
A senior official in the Gujarat General Administration Department confirmed that the retirements resulted from the committee’s assessment under the pension-rule framework. The official emphasized that the action aligns with the government’s ongoing effort to enforce integrity standards among senior bureaucrats. No further comment was provided on any pending inquiries or potential appeals.