https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

When God Calls

Gupteshwar Pandey, the former Bihar DGP, is among the several IPS officers who have embraced religion- at times even before retirement
Indian Masterminds Stories

When the former DGP of Bihar Gupteshwar Pandey turned to politics (briefly) before taking the path of a `pracharak’, i.e a religious preacher, he made several headlines. And continues to do so. But what may not be so apparent is that Mr Pandey is not the first IPS officer to have found solace in sudden discovery of God. Before him, many senior officers have devoted their pre and post retirement life to serve God and find peace in prayers. 

Here are a few of them:

Kishore Kunal 

The 1972 batch officer of Gujarat Cadre had served on various important positions- he was  the SP of Patna and DCP of Ahmedabad. He was also appointed as an Officer on Special Duty to handle Ayodhya issue and continued his service during the tenure of Prime Ministers Chandra Shekhar and P.V. Narasimha Rao. The ex-IPS who hails from Muzaffarpur District of Bihar played integral role in mediating between Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Babri Masjid Action Committee. 

Acharya Kishore Kunal is now part of Mahavir Mandir Trust, Patna

Mr Kunal is considered as one of the most successful IPS officers in the country. But, he took early retirement while 10 years of his service was still remaining. When asked about the reason he told Indian Masterminds, “The Khakhi was not in the mood to leave me, but I had to leave it. Actually, a life-changing incident happened which led to this. I was about to drown in river Ganga in Vidhyanchal (Uttar Pradesh) but somehow got saved. I consider that nothing sort of a miracle. I felt that I have been blessed with another life and it would be a waste if I still don’t devote myself to god and social services”. 

So that’s how Mr Kunal’s life took an abrupt change. Now he is known as Acharya Kunal and is part of Mahavir Temple Trust, Patna. He has opened various schools and hospitals where the money from the trust is used. The ex-officer also served as the vice chancellor  of Sanskrit University, Dharbhanga and Chairman of Religious Trust Board, Bihar for a short period.  He is also actively involved in the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 

Mr. Shankar was appointed the DGP, Bihar in 2009

‘The idea was not to become a Baba or Saint. I just wanted to connect charity with religion and continues to do so”, he said. He has also started Ramayana Research Institution in Ayodhya. 

Anand Shankar 

The 1973 batch officer served as the DGP of Bihar during 2009-10. Known as a God-fearing man, Mr. Shankar would often be with `tulsi’ beads and a `tika’ on his forehead. After the retirement, he went to Barsana in Mathura to devote his life to `Krishna Bhakti’ and `Gau Seva’ . In an interview to the media, he had said that his wife also took her last breath in Barsana and he wanted the same for him. He still lives there. 

Devendra Kumar Panda 

The 1971 batch officer of Uttar Pradesh Cadre had declared himself as ‘Second Radha’. The officer was posted as the IGP (Rule and Manuals), UP in 2009 when he publicly came out wearing attire of a woman calling himself ‘Radha’. His actions were called inappropriate for an officer and he had to leave the job. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CIL MoU MP Gov
Coal India Seals MoU with Madhya Pradesh for Critical Minerals Exploration at Mining Conclave 2.0
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Senior IPS Officer K Satya Narayan Applies for VRS, Plans Return to Roots for Social Service
omc
Boosting Ore Output: OMC MD Reviews Gandhamardan and Daitari Mines with Focus on Digital Upgrade & Green Practices
NUH
Indian Navy Issues RFI to Acquire 76 Utility Helicopters to Modernise Maritime Operations and Strengthen Indigenous Aerospace
DRDO resized
DRDO Achieves Breakthrough with Maiden Test of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System Featuring Missiles and Laser Shield
supreme-court-4
Supreme Court Flags Sand Mining Risks, Insists Riverbed Studies Must Precede Environmental Clearances - Know Details
POWERGRID 145 Kv
POWERGRID to Install India’s First 145 kV Eco-Friendly Green Circuit Breaker at Imphal Substation
Aneesh Dayal Singh IPS
Aneesh Dayal Singh Appointed Deputy NSA; Former DG of CRPF, ITBP to Oversee Internal Security Affairs
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
karanraj-vaghela-e1640240276857-1
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Singh Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CIL MoU MP Gov
Coal India Seals MoU with Madhya Pradesh for Critical Minerals Exploration at Mining Conclave 2.0
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Senior IPS Officer K Satya Narayan Applies for VRS, Plans Return to Roots for Social Service
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
karanraj-vaghela-e1640240276857-1
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT