New Delhi, May 29 -- Dhanendra Kumar, the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has died following a suspected air-conditioner blast at his Hauz Khas residence in Delhi. The retired IAS officer had reportedly planned an early celebration for his 80th birthday, which is on June 6, tomorrow, May 30.

He was admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre at around midnight and died at 7.50 am on Thursday, May 28, an official at the mortuary told Hindustan Times (HT). Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal told PTI that Kumar succumbed to smoke inhalation during treatment.

At the time of the incident, his wife Manju, son Gourav, and two domestic staff were inside the residence.

Gourav sustained injuries in the fire w...