Chambal ravines are known for two reasons – one, the treacherous terrain where one can’t see beyond 50-100 meters due to dunes and ravines, and two, for the arms-wielding dacoits and robbers who decimate law and order in the region.
But, this story is about a man who brought the miscreants to their knees. The 2015-batch IPS Officer Mridul Kachawa, established the dictum adorning the insignia “Satyameva Jayate” by incarcerating 57 Dacoits, infesting the Chambal Ravines, in just 12 months in 2019 during his stint as the Superintendent of Police, in Dholpur, Rajasthan.
He believes that the main reason for most dacoits to take up arms is lack of educational, developmental, and infrastructural facilities in the region. He emphasised the need for imparting better livelihood opportunities and education for their holistic rehabilitation.
However, more interesting are his views on what it takes to be a police officer and the social nuances associated with the task of policing.
Indian Masterminds spoke to him to find out the truth behind fables surrounding him. He admitted that his successful stint was the result of a camaraderie between him and his team – his subordinate police officers and also the residents of the area.
His is a also tale of academic prowess. A commerce graduate Mr Kachawa cracked the UPSC CSE in each of his two attempts after having cleared both – the CA (Chartered Accountancy) and CS (Company Secretary) courses. He also worked at an opulent Private Bank in Mumbai for eleven months before cracking the CSE with an All India Rank 216.
CIVILIANS’ SUPPORT
Recollecting one of the most cherished memories of his decade-long service in bureaucracy, Mr. Kachawa mentioned how the people of Karauli stood by his side when he was involved in a bitter spat with a regional politician. Mr Kachawa says, “If you are dedicated to your responsibilities, the people too will back you.“
POLICE REFORMS
Asked why an average civilian finds it difficult to convey their grievances to the police personnel specially at lower ranks, Mr. Kachawa claims that cops are overworked and underacknowledged, and since India has one of the lowest police-to-civilians ratios in the world (196.23 police per 1 lakh people), the average personnel is extremely psychologically strained.
However, with graduates and even postgraduates now working at the lower end of the police hierarchy, an educated police force shall be more compassionate towards the woes of the masses. He said, “Five years down the line, you will see a better face of police in society.“
THE MESSAGE
We get the police that we deserve, since the police is the reflection of society itself, says Mr Kachwa. He advised people to foster a positive outlook towards the Indian Police and in return, they would strain every nerve to make a positive impact.
Mr. Mridul Kachawa, the incumbent SP of Bharatpur, is a 2015 batch IPS Officer with more than 1.1 lakh followers on his Instagram handle. He can be seen crusading on horses when not endeavouring as a passionate officer of India’s prime police service.
