New Delhi – In an unprecedented move highlighting the severity of environmental health concerns in India’s capital, the finance head of Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals has resigned from his position, explicitly citing the Delhi pollution level as the primary reason. Rajkumar Bafna, who served as President of Finance at the Delhi-based pharmaceutical company, tendered his resignation on December 28, according to an exchange filing that has drawn significant attention to the capital’s deteriorating air quality crisis.
Resignation Letter Cites Air Quality Concerns
In a direct and remarkably brief letter addressed to the company’s Chief Financial Officer Sumeet Sood, Rajkumar Bafna made his reasons unmistakably clear. “I would like to inform you that due Delhi Pollution level I m resigning from my position as President Finance. Kindly relieve me asap,” Bafna wrote in his resignation communication.
The stark simplicity of the letter underscores the urgency with which Bafna views the health threat posed by the Delhi pollution level. His message continued with a professional offer of assistance during the transition period: “If I can be any help during this transition Pls let me know,” demonstrating his commitment to ensuring a smooth handover despite his immediate health concerns.
Timeline of Resignation Process
According to the BSE filing documenting the corporate development, Rajkumar Bafna actually tendered his resignation on December 3, well before the December 28 public announcement. The filing reveals that his resignation was formally accepted by the company on December 12, indicating that the decision had been in process for several weeks before becoming public knowledge.
This timeline suggests that Bafna’s concerns about the Delhi pollution level were not impulsive but rather the result of sustained exposure to hazardous air quality conditions that ultimately made his position untenable from a health perspective.
Company’s Response Acknowledges Health Issues
Akums Pharma’s response to Bafna’s resignation was notably sympathetic and revealed additional context about the health implications of the Delhi pollution level on the executive. CFO Sumeet Sood replied: “Though we regret your decision however given your health issue we will not be able to persuade you. As desired we will formally relieve you on 31st December 2025.”
The company’s acknowledgment that they “regret his decision” but cannot “persuade him to stay on due to his health issues” confirms that the Delhi pollution level had already begun affecting Bafna’s physical well-being. This corporate response validates the seriousness of his health concerns and suggests that the company recognizes the legitimacy of his pollution-related resignation.
The formal relief date of December 31, 2025, gave Bafna a brief transition period while acknowledging his urgent need to relocate away from the hazardous Delhi pollution level environment.
Delhi’s Ongoing Air Quality Crisis
The resignation comes against the backdrop of Delhi’s persistent and severe air quality problems that worsen dramatically every winter season. The Delhi pollution level deteriorates annually due to a complex combination of human activities and unfavorable meteorological conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground.
Also Read: Dense Fog in Delhi: Critical Airport Advisory as AQI Reaches Severe Levels
This year proved no exception, with the air quality in the national capital deteriorating sharply with winter’s arrival. The seasonal pattern has become so predictable that residents and workers increasingly factor air quality into major life and career decisions, as Bafna’s resignation dramatically illustrates.
Hazardous AQI Readings Across Capital
Recent readings from the Central Pollution Control Board paint a disturbing picture of the Delhi pollution level situation. The Air Quality Index has frequently registered in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories throughout recent months, with values consistently above 300 and at times approaching or exceeding 400 at multiple monitoring stations across the city.
These AQI levels are considered hazardous even for healthy individuals, let alone those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The Delhi pollution level measurements indicate that simply breathing the outdoor air in the capital can pose significant health risks, equivalent to smoking multiple cigarettes daily.
The ‘severe’ category designation means that the Delhi pollution level affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing health conditions. Prolonged exposure to such air quality can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and other serious health complications.
Broader Implications for Corporate India
Bafna’s resignation represents a potentially watershed moment in how the Delhi pollution level crisis impacts corporate retention and talent management. While many residents have expressed concerns about air quality privately, a senior executive publicly citing the Delhi pollution level as grounds for resignation is relatively rare and significant.
This high-profile departure may prompt other corporations to consider the Delhi pollution level when making location decisions for offices and operations. It also raises questions about whether companies operating in severely polluted areas need to provide additional health benefits, air filtration systems, or relocation assistance to retain talent.
Health-Driven Career Decision
The case of Rajkumar Bafna underscores how the Delhi pollution level has evolved from an environmental concern to a career-determining factor for professionals. His willingness to leave a senior position at a major pharmaceutical company demonstrates that for some individuals, no salary or position can compensate for the health risks posed by prolonged exposure to hazardous air quality.
