Rakesh Asthana
IPS 1984, Gujarat cadre (retired)
459days after leaving Commissioner of Police, Delhi. Then Religare Enterprises Ltd.
The cooling-off rule
31 Jul 2022 to 2 Nov 2023; beyond the one-year window.
The rule: All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, rule 26: a pensioner shall not accept commercial employment within one year of retirement without previous sanction of the Central Government.
Before and after
Documented
Commissioner of Police, Delhi
459 days after leaving.
Documented
Religare Enterprises Ltd
Group Head – Corporate Affairs & Business Advisor; Additional Director (to be Whole-time Director) subject to RBI approval — RBI refused (letter 15 May 2024); resigned Feb 2025
appointment of Mr. Rakesh Asthaana (DIN: 09311328), Group Head – Corporate Affairs & Business Advisor as Additional Director (to be designated as Whole Time Director) on the Board of the Company. His appointment will be effective post approval of the RBI.
Religare Enterprises Ltd · HinduBusinessLine · Financial Express
What the office had to do with the company
No dated decision involving the company was found.
What was said
- Response: Religare Enterprises (exchange filing, per HBL), 24 Oct 2024
- “REL highlighted that no reason was assigned by the RBI for refusal of the company’s application to appoint Asthana as Director to the Board.” thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
Dates and filings placed side by side; being listed is not a finding of wrongdoing. Sources were opened on Oct 2026.
Photo: The Week, CC BY-SA 4.0 (doubtful)