Register · No. 3
Ashok Khemka
IAS, Haryana cadre, 1991 batch, Retired 2025
57transfers, as of Apr 2025 in 33.7 years of service; reports range from 57 to 66. 10 on the ribbon below, 8 of them documented.
- Documented
- One report
- Years with no move on record
Summary
Ashok Khemka, a 1991-batch Haryana IAS officer, was transferred 57 times (The Tribune, HT) under INLD, Congress and BJP governments. The best-documented clash is October 2012: he sought records of, and then cancelled, the mutation of Robert Vadra's Shikohpur land sale to DLF; he was transferred the evening the records arrived, and the Hooda government called the transfer its prerogative, later chargesheeting him (a chargesheet the BJP government dropped). Under the BJP he was moved after clashes with the truck lobby (2015), minister Krishan Bedi (2017) and over Aravalli land (2019). Governments generally gave no reason for his transfers; a state committee said he exceeded his authority in the Vadra case.
57 postings per The Tribune at retirement; Dec 2024 transfer reported as his 57th. Wikipedia and Jagran Josh say 66 without a primary source, possibly counting additional charges. Earlier milestones: 40 (2012, his own letter), 43 (2012, DoPT officials via NIE), 45th posting (Apr 2013), 52nd (Mar 2019), 55th (Jan 2023).
On the record
It was not a routine transfer. It was a one-off transfer.
Crash landing again. Vested interests win. Deja vu.
Reward for honesty is humiliation.
Transfers are a prerogative of the state government and not a punishment. (paraphrase)
The moves, and what came of them
Oldest first. Each fold is marked by how well the record holds it.
One report
Officer on Special Duty (no car or office)
Under the INLD government, Khemka objected to teachers being transferred in the middle of the school session. He was removed and made an OSD with no car or office; The Tribune reports he walked 6 km to the Secretariat and found no room allotted to him. The Congress, then in opposition, backed him.
- Up against
- State government (INLD); no individual named in sources, Indian National Lok Dal Government: INLD (Om Prakash Chautala, CM).
- Reported reason
- The Tribune links the removal to his objection to mid-session teacher transfers.
- The other side said
- No government statement found.
8 years with no move on record here.
Documented
Director General, Consolidation of Land Holdings & Land Records-cum-Inspector General of RegistrationManaging Director, Haryana Seeds Development Corporation
Khemka had joined on 18 July 2012. According to official notings seen by The Indian Express, on 8 October he asked for the sale deed and mutation records of the Shikohpur (Gurgaon) land sale by Robert Vadra's firm Sky Light Hospitality to DLF; Gurgaon officials handed them over on 11 October and he was transferred that evening. He then ordered four district deputy commissioners to check stamp duty on Vadra-linked land deals since 2005 (12 Oct) and cancelled the mutation of the 3.53-acre plot (15 Oct) before handing over charge, on grounds including alleged undervaluation and a one-day mutation.
- Up against
- Robert Vadra (Sky Light Hospitality) and DLF; Haryana government of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi; real estate company; Chief Minister of Haryana, Indian National Congress (state government); DLF Ltd Government: Congress (Bhupinder Singh Hooda, CM).
- Reported reason
- Khemka said the abrupt transfer was 'punishment' for acting as a whistleblower on 'dubious' land transactions (New Indian Express). Arvind Kejriwal alleged he was moved because he was probing Vadra's land deals. The Indian Express's documents show he sought the Vadra records before the transfer order.
- The officer said
- Claimed the transfer was a 'punishment' and violated the two-year minimum tenure under the IAS (Fixation of Cadre Strength) Regulations, 2010 (per NIE).
- The other side said
- CM Hooda said transfers are 'a prerogative of the state government and not a punishment' and that the deal 'will be looked into' (paraphrased by Indian Express/agencies). The state said Khemka was transferred before he ordered the probe or set aside the deal. Chief Secretary P. K. Chaudhery said the order appeared flawed because Khemka acted after his transfer and outside his jurisdiction: 'since it is a quasi-judicial order, we will have to probe it.' A DLF executive told ET the land had been legally transferred: 'We do not know the validity of the (cancellation) order. It is left to the state government to sort it out.' DLF had earlier publicly denied any quid pro quo with Vadra.
- Outcome
- A three-member committee under Additional Chief Secretary Krishna Mohan reportedly found no undervaluation and said Khemka 'had acted beyond the authority vested in him' (PTI via Indian Express, 23 Apr 2013, citing official sources). Khemka received death threats; a complaint was lodged with Panchkula police (India Today, Nov 2012).
- What became of the matter
- Reopened by later governments; criminal case and money-laundering prosecution pending. The Hooda government's committee said Khemka exceeded his authority (2013). After the BJP took power, the Justice S. N. Dhingra Commission (set up 14 May 2015) submitted a 182-page sealed report on Gurugram licences including Vadra–DLF on 31 Aug 2016. In January 2019 a High Court bench (Justices A. K. Mittal and Anupinder Singh Grewal) restrained the state from publishing it because notice under Section 8B of the Commissions of Inquiry Act had not been issued to Hooda; the judges split on whether the commission could restart. Gurugram police registered FIR 288 of 1 Sep 2018 (Kherki Daula) against Vadra, Hooda, DLF and Onkareshwar Properties on a private complaint; Hooda called it 'political vendetta'. In 2023 the state told the High Court, in an affidavit based on a Manesar tehsildar's report, that 'no regulation/rules have been violated' in Sky Light's 2012 sale to DLF, while the FIR investigation continued under a new SIT. The ED filed a money-laundering prosecution complaint on 17 Jul 2025, and on 15 Apr 2026 Special Judge Sushant Changotra (Rouse Avenue) took cognizance against Vadra and eight others. The ED's case (bribe-for-licence allegations) is unproven; the order does not mention Khemka. The Indian Express, Jan 2019 The Indian Express, Sep 2018 The Indian Express, Apr 2023 The Indian Express, Jul 2025 The Indian Express, Apr 2026
Order Khemka's order cancelling the Shikohpur mutation (as quoted by The Indian Express), Oct 2012
the village of Shikohpur was notified under 14(1) of the East Punjab Holdings (Consolidation and Prevention of Fragmentation) Act, 1948, on August 5, 2011, and transfer of property during the pendency of consolidation proceedings without the sanction of the consolidation officer was prohibited
Affidavit Haryana government affidavit (IGP Crime, Gurugram) before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, suo motu case on MP/MLA cases (Justices Augustine George Masih and Harpreet Singh Brar), Apr 2023
Skylight Hospitality sold 3.5 acre (land in question) to DLF Universal Limited on September 18, 2012 and no regulation/rules have been violated in said transaction.
PMLA proceedings "cannot be deferred or halted on account of the fact that investigation in the predicate offence has yet not been concluded." The court found "sufficient material to proceed further and initiate process" against Vadra and his companies, and noted the complaint "does not disclose if investigation qua said facts was also conducted from the officials… on behalf of M/s DLF Universal Ltd."
The New Indian Express, Oct 2012 · The Indian Express, Oct 2012 · The Indian Express (agencies), Oct 2012 · The Economic Times, Oct 2012 · The Indian Express (PTI), Apr 2013 · India Today, Nov 2012
Documented
Managing Director, Haryana Seeds Development CorporationSecretary, Archives & Archaeology
At the Seeds corporation Khemka flagged the purchase, without tendering, of about Rs 60 crore of the fungicide Raxil (Bayer Crop Science) to treat wheat seed, saying it was not certified for Karnal bunt, and complained to the CBI. After five months he was replaced by B. S. Duggal, an officer The Hindu described as five ranks below him, and was told to download his transfer order from the internet. A PIL seeking a CBI probe into the purchase was pending in the High Court at the time.
- Up against
- State Agriculture department / Haryana government, Indian National Congress (state government) Government: Congress (Bhupinder Singh Hooda, CM).
- Reported reason
- The Hindu wrote that the exposé 'earned the ire of the government'. The PIL petitioner, Pawan Kumar Anchar, alleged the government moved him because it feared he 'would present the true picture before the court'.
- The officer said
- Asked if he was targeted: 'I guess so. It was not a routine transfer. It was a one-off transfer.' He called it 'quite humiliating' and alleged his replacement's name had come up in earlier scams at the corporation.
- The other side said
- The government rejected his CBI complaint, saying he 'was not competent to do so'. No official reason was given for the transfer.
- Outcome
- CBI registered a preliminary enquiry into wheat-seed purchases on 18 Oct 2013 (per Wikipedia citing ET). In 2013 the government ordered several vigilance probes and a chargesheet over his own work at the corporation (low seed sales, moong purchase), as reported by TOI.
- What became of the matter
- Probe opened, outcome unknown. CBI registered a preliminary enquiry into wheat-seed purchases on 18 Oct 2013 (ET, via Wikipedia); its result was not found. The High Court PIL by Bhiwani Sudhar and Vikas Samiti had notice issued for 12 Apr 2013; outcome not found. The Tribune says the "seeds scam" was later flagged by the CAG; the CAG report itself was not located. The Economic Times, Oct 2013 The Tribune, Apr 2025
The Hindu (with PTI), Apr 2013 · The Times of India, Dec 2013
Documented
Director General, Archives
Not a transfer but a penalty: the Hooda government served Khemka a seven-page chargesheet over the Vadra–DLF mutation cancellation. It accused him of delaying handing over charge 'intentionally' so he could cancel the mutation, acting outside his jurisdiction without hearing the affected party, singling out one firm when '3,000 land deals were executed during 2005-2012', and criticising government policy in the media.
- Up against
- Bhupinder Singh Hooda (approved); Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Chaudhery (signed), Chief Minister of Haryana; Chief Secretary of Haryana, Indian National Congress Government: Congress (Bhupinder Singh Hooda, CM).
- Reported reason
- TOI reported the chargesheet alleged administrative misconduct and damage to the reputation of Vadra and DLF.
- The other side said
- The chargesheet itself is the government's account: misconduct and excess of jurisdiction. The Chief Secretary 'refused to comment' (TOI).
- Outcome
- Scroll (citing PTI/Indian Express) reports the BJP government dropped the chargesheet after taking power in 2014.
Documented
Transport CommissionerArchaeology & Museums
Posted Transport Commissioner after the BJP came to power in late 2014, Khemka refused fitness certificates to oversized and overloaded trucks and trailers, leading to a truckers' strike in January 2015. The Tribune reports the government yielded to the strike, and he was moved out about four months into the job.
- Up against
- Transport (truck-owner) lobby, Truck operators; BJP state government Government: BJP (Manohar Lal Khattar, CM).
- Reported reason
- India Today's headline said the BJP moved him 'under pressure from transport lobby, mining mafias' (the outlet's characterisation). India Today later reported that Khemka himself 'accused the transport lobby for getting him moved out'.
- The officer said
- 'Tried hard to address corruption and bring reforms in Transport… Moment is truly painful.' Earlier: '60% of road accidents [are] due to overloaded and oversized transport vehicles... The choice is between road safety, protection of public property and environment on the one side, and private profits on the other.'
- The other side said
- No government reason found.
- What became of the matter
- Reversed. The Tribune reports the government 'yielded' to the January 2015 truckers' strike over his refusal of fitness certificates to oversized vehicles; he was moved in April. No later official review of the oversized-vehicle drive was found. The Tribune, Apr 2025
Documented
Principal Secretary, Social Justice & EmpowermentPrincipal Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs
In October 2017 Khemka had a run-in with his minister, Krishan Kumar Bedi, over the minister's office allegedly using a department vehicle for over a year. He also ridiculed a special Diwali bonus for the Chief Minister's personal staff. He was moved less than three months after joining (his 51st transfer per India Today).
- Up against
- Krishan Kumar Bedi, Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Haryana, Bharatiya Janata Party Government: BJP (Manohar Lal Khattar, CM).
- Reported reason
- India Today, citing unnamed sources: the transfer 'was prompted by Bedi expressing unhappiness over Khemka writing a letter about honesty'.
- The officer said
- 'So much work planned. News of another transfer. Crash landing again. Vested interests win. Deja vu. But this is temporary. Will continue with renewed vigour and energy.'
- The other side said
- No government reason or response from Bedi found.
Documented
Principal Secretary, Sports & Youth AffairsPrincipal Secretary, Science & Technology
As consolidation chief earlier, Khemka had withdrawn the consolidation of 3,184 acres in Kot village (Faridabad) after an inquiry found 2,565 acres lay in the Aravalli hills; the state reversed his order. Days after he publicly criticised Assembly amendments opening protected Aravalli land to construction, he was moved in a nine-officer reshuffle, his sixth transfer since 2014.
- Up against
- Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana (who called the amendments the 'need of the hour'), Bharatiya Janata Party Government: BJP (Manohar Lal Khattar, CM).
- Reported reason
- The Indian Express (via Scroll) reported he was transferred after criticising the Aravalli amendments.
- The officer said
- 'Consolidation proceedings in the eco-fragile zone of the Aravalli will not increase agricultural productivity, but fuel the greed of land sharks.' Later on social media: 'Reward for honesty is humiliation.'
- The other side said
- No reason was given in the order. BJP spokesperson Raman Malik: 'He is a good man. I hope he brings new dimensions to science and technology in the state.'
- Outcome
- The Supreme Court separately called the Aravalli amendments 'shocking' that week (the ruling was not about Khemka).
- What became of the matter
- Order reversed. His withdrawal of consolidation proceedings for 3,184 acres in Kot village was reversed by the government before his transfer (Scroll, citing Indian Express). Separately, the Supreme Court called the state's Aravalli amendments 'shocking' that week. Whether the amendment was ever notified was not checked. Scroll.in, Mar 2019
Scroll.in (PTI, Indian Express), Mar 2019 · Hindustan Times, Apr 2025
Documented
Not a transfer: a dispute over his annual performance appraisal. A rating raised by a minister was lowered by the Chief Minister (The Tribune, neither named). Khemka challenged it and the Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld the higher grade on 18 March 2019.
- Up against
- Chief Minister of Haryana (as reviewing authority; not named in source), Bharatiya Janata Party Government: BJP (Manohar Lal Khattar, CM).
- The other side said
- The Haryana government appealed. The Supreme Court (Justices Vikram Nath and Satish Chandra Sharma) held that grading an IAS officer 'ought to have been left to the executive'.
- Outcome
- Supreme Court set aside the High Court order in March 2024.
Judgment State of Haryana v. Ashok Khemka, Supreme Court (Justices Vikram Nath and Satish Chandra Sharma), setting aside the P&H High Court order of 18 Mar 2019, Mar 2024
This administrative oversight ought to have been left to the executive on account of it possessing the requisite expertise and mandate
4 years with no move on record here.
One report
ACS, Science & TechnologyACS, Archives
Days before the move, Khemka reportedly wrote to Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal that his department's workload was 'not more than 2-3 hours per week' and asked for departments with 'at least 40 hours a week' of work. He was sent to Archives for the fourth time (55th transfer).
- Reported reason
- Indian Express, citing unnamed sources who saw the letter, placed the transfer days after the letter; no causal link is stated.
- The officer said
- Earlier, after being passed over in promotions: 'Straight trees are always cut first.'
- The other side said
- The official order 'did not mention any specific reason'.
Documented
ACS, Printing & StationeryACS, Transport
His 57th and final posting, five months before he retired on 30 April 2025. Hindustan Times counts 21 transfers under the Hooda (Congress) government and at least seven in the first five years of the Khattar (BJP) government.
- The officer said
- 'A government officer who was, is, or intends to be corrupt knows where and how to obtain patronage for a choice posting.' (on X, quoted by The Tribune)
- Outcome
- Retired 30 April 2025 as ACS, Transport.
Sources for the count
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0