The legacy of late IPS officer Vijay Raman, famed for orchestrating the encounter of notorious criminal Gaji Baba, has been beautifully captured in the book “Did I Really Do This.” The book, which provides a deep dive into Raman’s extraordinary career, was completed by his wife, Veena Raman, after his untimely death from cancer.
Raman, 1975 batch IPS officer who was part of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, had started documenting his experiences before his passing. His wife, Veena, shared insights into the challenges her husband faced and the resilience he exhibited throughout his career. “My husband would come home after completing significant tasks, but his calm demeanor never betrayed the intensity of his work,” Veena Raman said. “He always worked in a professional and composed manner.”
In the early years of his service, Raman was stationed in the Chambal region, a hotspot for dreaded criminals. Veena reminisced about the challenges her family endured due to his dangerous assignments, noting that he couldn’t always be at home because of his duty. “When my husband killed Pan Singh Tomar in an encounter, criminals started believing that even the most dangerous among them could be eliminated,” she recalled.
The book also sheds light on the immense respect Raman commanded, as infamous criminals like Phoolan Devi and Malkhan Singh surrendered, but under the condition that they would not do so in front of him.
Beyond his work in the field, Vijay Raman was later recruited to work in the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is responsible for the security of the Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers. He had the privilege of working closely with late Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, VP Singh, and Chandrashekhar.
Veena also shared how her late husband played a crucial role in curbing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, a task that was particularly daunting. “This was one of his most challenging assignments, but he tackled it with unmatched professionalism,” she said.
As Vijay Raman was writing the last chapter of his book, he was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could finish it. Veena, honoring his memory, completed the final chapter of Did I Really Do This herself, ensuring that his remarkable journey would live on.
The book serves as a tribute to the courage, professionalism, and sacrifices made by one of the most distinguished officers in the Indian Police Service.
