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Rajinder Kumar Dhawan (16 July 1937 – 6 August 2018) was an Indian politician who was one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and a member of the Rajya Sabha.
As personal secretary and confidante to Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, Dhawan was a witness to Indira Gandhi assassination in 1984.As personal assistant to the prime minister, he attained unparalleled power and influence particularly during India's Emergency. As the "door keeper" to the prime minister, he was well positioned to control information and access and proved himself instrumental in civil service appointments. He graduated from Punjab University, Chandigarh.
The head of the investigating commission, Justice Manharlal Pranlal Thakkar, described Dhawan's responses to questioning on the assassination as unreliable and said that the needle of suspicion significantly points to his complicity or involvement. However, Indira's son, Rajiv, after initially removing Dhawan from his post, cleared him of all charges.
Dhawan died, aged 81, in Delhi on 6 August 2018.
Personal life
On 16 July 2012, R. K. Dhawan married Achla, at the age of 74.
Sources
- Delhi Correspondent: A Confidential Agent. Economist, 25 Mar. 1989, pp. 38 & 40.
- Sanjoy Hazarika; India released stinging report on Gandhi's Death. New York Times, 28 Mar. 1989.
- Hewitt B: A swirl of suspicion. Newsweek, 10 April 1989, p. 17.
- Barbara Crossette; Gandhi, His Luster Dimmed after 4 years, Faces Uncertain Political Future. New York Times, 22 Apr. 1989.