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In an unprecedented move linking corporate executives’ decisions to environmental health concerns, Mr. Rajkumar Bafna, President-Finance of Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, has tendered his resignation, effective December 31, 2025, citing the ongoing pollution crisis in Delhi as the main reason. The company confirmed it had accepted his resignation and said Mr Bafna would be officially removed from his role at the end of this year.
In an internal email on December 3 – later shared with company management – Bafna wrote that due to the continued hazardous air quality in Delhi, he was leaving his role and requesting an expedited transition. Akums regretted the loss of an experienced financial manager, but acknowledged Bafna’s concerns, particularly regarding health risks linked to deteriorating air quality.
The regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange and BSE reiterated that Bafna’s resignation was due to personal reasons.
Air pollution situation in Delhi
At the time of publication, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) remains dangerously high, with real-time readings sometimes exceeding 390 to 400, levels classified as very poor to severe and dangerous to human health.
Dense smog continues to blanket the city, reducing visibility, worsening respiratory problems and prompting authorities to maintain strict Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures. Neighboring NCR regions including Ghaziabad and Noida have also reported AQI levels above 400, highlighting that the pollution crisis extends beyond Delhi city limits.
Despite occasional short-term relief in some areas, meteorologists and environmental planners warn that the winter season, stagnant winds, crop fires in neighboring states and increased particulate matter are combining to keep pollution levels high through early 2026.
What a bad AQI does to your body
Air pollution is more than just a nuisance: it directly affects human health, especially when the AQI exceeds the “unhealthy” threshold. According to global health data:
- Fine particles (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs, reducing lung function, triggering asthma, bronchitis and exacerbating chronic respiratory diseases.
- Short-term exposures may cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, headache and fatigue.
- Long-term inhalation Polluted air increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and premature death.
- Vulnerable groups – including children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions – face increased risk even at lower exposure levels.
Experts also highlight new evidence demonstrating the impact of pollution on immune function, cognitive health and birth outcomes, broadening the public health challenges linked to prolonged exposure.
Health Warnings for Poor AQI
With AQI values frequently exceeding the 300 mark – a level at which serious health effects are common – health authorities advise the public to:
- Avoid outdoor exercise and prolonged exposure to the outdoors, especially during smog peaks early in the morning and at night.
- Use air purifiers and N95-grade masks to reduce inhalation of fine particles.
- Keep windows and doors closed at home to limit the penetration of indoor pollution.
Health professionals are particularly alarmed by days when the AQI is “very poor” and “severe”, warning that even healthy people can begin to experience serious respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. Short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks, irregular heart rhythms and increased hospital visits, while cumulative exposure over years worsens the risk of chronic disease.
This is one of the rare occasions in Indian corporate history where environmental conditions directly influenced a key executive’s decision to resign, underscoring the seriousness of the air pollution challenge facing Delhi and its employees. Bafna’s resignation is both an important milestone for the company and a stark reminder: environmental degradation is no longer just a political issue, but one that has real personal and professional consequences.
