New Delhi: Ashok Khemka, an eminent Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, celebrated for his integrity and principles, prepares to bid farewell to public service on April 30. His illustrious career, spanning 34 years and 57 transfers, stands as a testament to his resilience. A stalwart of the 1991 batch, Khemka shall retire as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department, a position he assumed in December 2024.
Khemka’s name ascended to the national stage in 2012 when he annulled the mutation of a Gurugram land deal tied to Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Congress party. By definition, a mutation constitutes a procedural step in transferring land ownership. Born on April 30, 1965, in Kolkata, Khemka’s academic achievements are prodigious. A graduate of the prestigious IIT Kharagpur with a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering (1988), he further distinguished himself with a PhD in Computer Science from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and an MBA specialising in Finance and Business Administration. While serving in the civil services, he also earned an LLB from Panjab University, reflecting his relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Throughout his tenure, Khemka became synonymous with integrity, an example in the bureaucracy, though often relegated to roles deemed “low-profile.” His return to the Transport Department under Minister Anil Vij in December 2024 marked nearly a decade since his removal from the same portfolio under Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s first term. In that tenure, Khemka’s time as Transport Commissioner lasted a mere four months.
In 2023, addressing a letter to the Chief Minister, Khemka offered his expertise to head the Vigilance Department with the singular aim of eradicating corruption. His letter underscored the disparity in workload among officers, lamenting his underutilisation in the Archives Department. Pledging a rigorous campaign against corruption, his words resonated with conviction, “No one, however elevated, shall be exempt from scrutiny.” Yet, Khemka’s career, marked by exemplary service, carried its share of trials. In 2023, following a spate of promotions for his contemporaries, he penned a poignant tweet, applauding his colleagues while reflecting on his exclusion, “Straight trees are always cut first. No regrets. With renewed resolve, I shall persist.”
The past twelve years have seen Khemka often relegated to the Archives Department, having been posted there four times, three of these stints during the BJP’s governance. His first transfer to this department occurred under Congress’s rule in 2013. Through the vicissitudes of public service, his steadfast commitment to ethical governance and an unwavering sense of duty stand as a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
As Khemka retires, the Haryana IAS Officers Association organised a farewell function for him in Chandigarh. Emotional reactions on social media reflect his impact; users praised Khemka’s contribution, calling him a symbol of integrity. One user wrote, “The reward for 33 years of honesty: 57 transfers. Khemka showed that fighting the system is difficult, but not impossible.” Another said, “He never compromised his soul under pressure from power.”
Khemka’s career has been singular for the sheer number of transfers — 57 in total. Averaging a transfer every six months, his postings often reflected political discomfort with his uncompromising approach. In December 2024, Khemka was appointed as additional chief secretary in the Haryana transport department — a return to a department he had last served a decade earlier. His earlier tenure as transport commissioner had ended in the first term of the BJP government led by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, four months into the role.
In 2012, Khemka came into national headlines when he cancelled the mutation of a 3.5-acre land deal in Gurugram between Robert Vadra’s company, Skylight Hospitality, and DLF. This move garnered praise from anti-corruption activists, but political pressure and constant transfers stood in his way. The investigation into this case remains incomplete, and no one has been found guilty. In 2014, as Transport Commissioner, he refused to issue fitness certificates to large vehicles, leading to a truck drivers’ strike. Even then, he was transferred.
In 2023, Khemka wrote to the then Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, requesting a posting in the Vigilance Department. He wrote, “If given a chance, there will be a real war against corruption, and no big or powerful person will be spared.” However, his wish was not fulfilled. Khemka also voiced his frank opinions on social media, criticising the system that rewards corrupt officials and marginalises honest ones. At one point, even his government vehicle was taken away, but he continued to walk to the office.
As he concludes his service, Khemka’s legacy is not just about the number of transfers, but about the principles he stood for. His journey reflects the struggles faced by honest officials in a system often resistant to change. While he may leave the government service, the impact of his work and the ideals he championed will resonate long after he has gone.
