Kapil Raj, a 2009-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and former Joint Director at the Enforcement Directorate (ED), known for his role in arresting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in politically sensitive corruption investigations, voluntarily retired on July 17, 2025, after 16 years of government service.
Shortly after, he joined Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). The company declined to comment on his appointment. Raj’s career includes leading some of ED’s most high-profile probes, earning him national prominence.
A Career of High-Impact, Politically Sensitive Investigations
Kapil Raj earned recognition as a resolute officer with a proven track record in handling complex and sensitive cases. During his eight-year tenure at the ED, he led investigations that resulted in the historic arrests of two sitting Chief Ministers, Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy probe and Hemant Soren in a land scam case in Jharkhand. These arrests were unprecedented, drawing national attention to the extensive enforcement efforts undertaken under his leadership.
Earlier in his ED career, while posted as Deputy Director in Mumbai, Raj worked on major financial fraud cases including those involving fugitives Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, as well as probes into DHFL and links to underworld figures like Iqbal Mirchi. Known for his hands-on approach, he personally prepared interrogation questionnaires and supervised raids, often maintaining morale during tense and high-pressure investigations. Colleagues note his dedication to thoroughness and integrity in politically charged environments.
Background and Transition to Corporate Sector
Kapil Raj hails from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and holds an electronics engineering degree from Lucknow. After passing the UPSC exam in 2008, he joined the IRS in 2009 and started in Customs and Central Excise. His deputation to the ED followed seven years of service, and his steady rise culminated in the position of Joint Director of the prominent Headquarters Investigation Unit (HIU) in Delhi.
Despite being eligible for nearly 15 more years of government service, Raj chose voluntary retirement citing personal reasons. Following this, he joined Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), a shift aligning with a trend of senior bureaucrats moving to corporate roles leveraging their expertise in compliance, financial regulation, and investigation. RIL, which has previously appointed former senior officials in key leadership roles, declined to comment on his appointment. Raj’s addition is viewed as strategic given his deep experience in financial investigations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Kapil Raj’s career exemplifies the challenges faced by law enforcement officers navigating politically sensitive cases with professionalism and resolve. His transition from a critical public service role to a leading corporate entity raises questions about ethical frameworks, transparency, and maintaining public trust in such movements.
The Logical Indian advocates for clear regulatory guidelines and greater public accountability to ensure that expertise gained in government service benefits the broader society without compromising integrity. It is crucial to foster dialogue and safeguards that balance institutional knowledge transfer while upholding transparency.
