https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The IPS Officer Who Loves To Make Surprise Checks In Disguises

2005-batch IPS officer from Bihar cadre Manu Maharaj, who is currently DIG, ITBP, is known for his unique ways of functioning. From stealing police jeep to disguising as a rickshaw puller, he never misses an opportunity to explore new methods to ensure law and order. His love for disguises and turning up in police stations and check points at odd hours keep all the police personnel on their toes, wherever he is posted.
Indian Masterminds Stories

With his impressive height, handsome build and unique moustache, anyone can recognize this police officer from a distance. Not just his personality, but his no-nonsense attitude and zero tolerance for any crime or negligence, have earned him a reputation of being an extraordinary IPS officer in the country. He is 2005-batch officer of Bihar cadre, Manu Maharaj, who is currently the DIG of ITBP. 

He hails from Himachal Pradesh but considers Bihar his second home. In more than 15 years of service, he not only took actions against Naxalites but also put many gangsters behind bars, and locked horns with powerful men and politicians without any hesitation or fear.

Indian Masterminds talked to this fearless officer to know from him about his many interesting experiences in the line of duty.

FROM HIMACHAL TO BIHAR

An alumnus of IIT Roorkee and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, Mr. Maharaj was sceptical when he was given Bihar cadre. Talking about it, he said, “Honestly, we only knew Bihar through the news stories. That time it was infamous for the crime and political situation there. I was in training when the cadre was allotted. The only thought that crossed my mind was whether I will be able to work freely there or not. When I came to the state, the government had just changed. The new CM was very clear about taking action against criminals. I can surely say that I was never forced or pressurized for changing my style of work.”

He has served in various districts of Bihar, including the Naxalite-affected areas like Rohtas, Munger, Gaya, and the capital city Patna.

LOVES TO INVESTIGATE IN DISGUISE

Mr. Maharaj is known for his unique style of working. He always loved field posting and would lead every operation his team was assigned to do. In all the work he has done so far, he is most known for disguising himself for reality checks on the public and, also, the working of the police department.

AS A CAR THIEF

Once, he stole a jeep from a police station and roamed in it for hours. This incident happened when he was SSP, Patna. He was patrolling with his gunner and saw a police jeep in the VVIP area Kotwali station. The key was inside the jeep and the police staff was sleeping. He drove the jeep away and still no one found out about the theft.

“After few hours, I, myself, sent a wireless message and asked the on-duty officer to come for patrolling. He was shocked by the sudden order and then realized that the jeep was missing. He came to me on a motorbike covered in sweat. He didn’t know till the time I told him that I took his jeep,” Mr. Maharaj said. After this incident, he suspended many police personnel, saying that if they can’t guard their own property, how will they guard the public property.

AS A RICKSHAW DRIVER

In another similar incident, he disguised himself as a poor rickshaw driver in the night. He went to the policemen on patrol and complained to them about missing belongings. The policemen didn’t behave with him properly till he revealed his identity by pulling off the towel he was using to cover his face!

REALITY CHECK

Mr. Maharaj said that it is important to get reality check done from time to time, because when an officer travels with his entourage, everybody becomes conscious and cautious.

“I have always believed that officers should travel in civilian attire to check on his area. I had to use a cover every time I did this kind of stunt, because it was too easy to recognize me with the moustache,” he said.

No doubt an interesting police officer with an interesting personality. One would never know when and where he would land up in disguise, until he reveals himself. This is the reason wherever he gets posted, he keeps all police personnel on their toes. There are several other stories of his surprise checks in disguise, which will be covered in the second part to be published soon.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Bombay High Court
Decentralising Justice: Bombay High Court Bench Set to Start Functioning in Kolhapur from August 18
Ministry of Coal
Coal Power Trio: CIL, NLCIL & SCCL Achieve 114% of Q1 Capex Target, Signalling Aggressive Growth
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Uttarakhand Forest Department Set for Major IFS Reshuffle Post Election Code Lift - Details Inside
UPPSC_UPPCS_resized
UPPSC BEO Recruitment 2025: Rules Amended, Legal Hurdles Cleared for 134 Vacancies - Details Inside
Former CJI DY Chandrachud
Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud Vacates Official Bungalow, Shifts to Teen Murti Marg
Dr Mayank Sharma
Seasoned IDAS Officer Dr. Mayank Sharma Assumes Role of Financial Advisor to the Defence Services
Raj Kumar Arora
Defence Finance Leadership Strengthened: IDAS Officer Raj Kumar Arora Takes Charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts
IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma
Real-Life Hero Honoured Onscreen: IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma Applauds ‘12th Fail’ After National Award Triumph
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Bombay High Court
Decentralising Justice: Bombay High Court Bench Set to Start Functioning in Kolhapur from August 18
Ministry of Coal
Coal Power Trio: CIL, NLCIL & SCCL Achieve 114% of Q1 Capex Target, Signalling Aggressive Growth
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT