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.
