Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Saturday informed stock exchanges that Rajkumar Bafna has resigned from his position as President–Finance, citing severe air pollution levels in Delhi as the reason for stepping down.
In a regulatory filing, the company said Bafna, who was classified as Senior Management Personnel, will be relieved from his duties with effect from December 31, 2025.
Resignation Letter Cites Pollution Concerns
In his resignation letter addressed to Chief Financial Officer Sumeet Sood, Bafna wrote that he was stepping down “due to Delhi pollution level” and requested the company to relieve him at the earliest.
“If I can be any help during this transition, please let me know,” the letter stated.
Company Acknowledges Resignation, Mentions Health Issues
Acknowledging the resignation, CFO Sumeet Sood confirmed that the company would relieve Bafna on December 31, 2025.
“Though we regret your decision, however given your health issue we will not be able to persuade you,” Sood said in his response.
Delhi Air Quality Remains Hazardous
The resignation comes amid persistently hazardous air quality in the national capital. Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 391 at 6 am on Sunday, bordering the ‘severe’ category.
Several monitoring stations reported AQI readings above 400, indicating severe pollution:
- Anand Vihar: 445
- Shadipur: 445
- Nehru Nagar: 433
- Patparganj: 425
- Mundka: 413
- IGI Airport: 320
A dense layer of smog mixed with winter fog continued to blanket large parts of the city, disrupting daily life and intensifying health concerns.
GRAP Curbs Continue Amid Pollution Crisis
Delhi has been under various stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in recent weeks, including curbs on construction activities, restrictions on vehicle movement, and advisories for work-from-home and school operations.
On Saturday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that two restrictions under GRAP Stage-4 will be made permanent:
- No fuel will be provided to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)
- Non-BS6 vehicles entering Delhi from outside will face restrictions
