Accused of favouring firm with Rs 50 lakh, govt retires HCS officer compulsorily

The Haryana Government has issued a notification for the compulsory retirement of HCS officer Ashwani Kumar, following findings of procedural violations and misuse of authority during his tenure as Managing Director of the Cooperative Sugar Mills, Sonepat.

Key allegations

- Unauthorised payment of Rs 49.97 lakh to M/s Kay Bouvet Engineering Ltd., Satara, Maharashtra

- Payment made despite telephonic and written instructions from MD Sugarfed to withhold funds

- Improper delegation of financial duties to Chief Chemist BS Hooda, bypassing appointed Chief Accounts OAnand Singh

- Ignored directives to revoke Hooda’s financial authority

The action stems from a controversial payment of nearly Rs 50 lakh to M/s Kay Bouvet Engineering Ltd., Satara, Maharashtra, on June 12, 2020, despite telephonic and written instructions from the MD, Sugarfed, to withhold the amount due to unsatisfactory work.

“This act not only reflects misuse of official capacity but also reflects undue financial benefit/favour to a private supplier firm by him, i.e., Ashwani Kumar,” read the chargesheet issued in February 2023 under Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules.

Further allegations state that Kumar allowed BS Hooda, then Chief Chemist, to handle financial matters, including RTGS payments, despite Anand Singh having officially taken over as Chief Accounts Officer. He also allegedly ignored Sugarfed MD’s directions to withdraw these responsibilities from Hooda.

In his defence, Kumar claimed: “Though oral instructions via the DC Office, Sonepat, were received to withhold the payment, no written directions were communicated.” He said the principal amount was cleared “in good faith and to avoid accrual of interest,” as the firm had agreed to forgo interest.

The departmental inquiry, headed by retired IFS officer Krishan Lal Manhas, concluded that Kumar acted against the advice of senior authorities and irregularly entrusted financial responsibilities to Hooda. “This was done even though trained and experienced personnel in the Accounts Branch were available at the relevant time,” the Inquiry Officer said.

Kumar contested the findings, alleging violation of natural justice and claiming the Inquiry Officer was not appointed as per rules. However, these objections were rejected.

Following a review of the inquiry and evidence, the competent authority decided to impose the major penalty of “compulsory retirement.” The Haryana Public Service Commission endorsed this decision in its letter dated July 23, 2025.