https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Known For His Moustache And His Daring Ways, Even Big Names Couldn’t Escape Him

The IPS officer from Bihar who loves to conduct surprise checks in disguise, Manu Maharaj, has also had many escapades with the Naxals. In fact, his famous moustache is linked to one such escapade, when he was taken captive by the Naxals while returning to headquarter after an operation. Indian Masterminds presents some more interesting stories from the life of this police officer, in this second part.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In continuation of the story of his very interesting life as a police officer in Bihar, Indian Masterminds presents the second part of the action-packed life of IPS officer Manu Maharaj. In the first part, we wrote how he often lands up in disguise in police stations and checkpoints to conduct surprise checks on his own police personnel. 

Today, we bring to our readers some more interesting anecdotes from his never-a-dull-moment life and his extraordinary ways of working which cause both shock and awe in his admirers and detractors alike. 

MAHARAJ’S MOUSTACHE

Mr. Manu Maharaj is as much known for his work as also for his moustache. In fact, many admire his moustache and have even replicated its style. The officer narrated the story behind this famous moustache to Indian Masterminds, a story no less interesting than the man himself! 

People who know him now would be surprised to know that a decade ago, he used to wear a clean-shaved look. As SP of Rohtas, he went to Yadhunathpur (trijunction of Jharkhand, UP and Bihar) with his team for an operation on 13 March 2011. It was a highly sensitive area as it had been recently captured by Naxalites. After completing the operation, they were going back, when suddenly the Naxals surrounded them and didn’t allow them to move for around 5-6 hours. News spread that he was killed by the Naxals and even an obituary started circulating. 

“We had a narrow escape. When I came back, my wife said that I look too soft. I should keep a moustache. I took her advice and now I believe that the moustache has been very lucky for me. With the moustache, I also took a pledge to remove the Naxals, and gladly my team was able to do that,” Mr. Maharaj said.

ARRESTING BIG SHOTS

Not just the Naxals, Mr. Maharaj has locked horns with many high-profile politicians and bureaucrats also. Whether it is arresting a BJP leader associated with mafia or an IAS officer involved in a scam, the officer has never stepped back from taking action against illegal activities. 

It made big headlines when he arrested IAS officer Sudhir Kumar, involved in BSCC paper (for recruitment of Sub-Inspector, etc.) leak scam. Talking about it, he said, “The scam was big, and a SIT was formed for the investigation. I was the head. We had strong evidence against the people involved, so we took action. We arrested around 50 people and didn’t get any order to undo the action. No one can escape if they are into illegal activities.”

TACKLING MAOISTS

Mr. Maharaj also launched ‘Operation Viswas’ to tackle the growing influence of the Maoists in Rohtas. The operation was launched in coordination with CRPF and other security forces. Apart from bridging the gap between people and police, a coaching institute was also opened in Nauhatta under the initiative, where young boys and girls were also given vocational training and offered jobs in the security forces afterwards. The outcome of the initiative was so satisfactory that Mr. Maharaj carried this out in other places also. Taking pride in the initiative, he says that many have also become engineers and doctors after attending coaching classes in the institute. 

LOVES BORDERS 

Mr. Maharaj is currently posted in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, as the DIG of Indo-Tibetian Border Police (ITBP). He is on central deputation and is quite liking this somewhat different job in a different state. He has always been fascinated by borders and guarding the border posts and the men give him immense satisfaction, which is why he chose ITBP. He also has a special connection with mountains, he says; so this posting is like homecoming for him.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Renewable Energy
India Must Double Renewable Energy Addition to 50 GW Annually to Hit 2030 Goal, Says S&P Global - Details Inside
THDC-resized
THDC India Commissions Nation’s First Variable Speed Pumped Storage Unit at Tehri, Marks Historic Milestone in Renewable Energy - All Details Mentioned Here
Prakash Punj, Patna Sahib
Beautification Work Completed at Prakash Punj, Patna Sahib: A New Landmark for Sikh Heritage & Tourism
Indian Railways
Indian Railways Strengthens Ticketing System with Digital Overhaul & Anti-BOT Measures - Know More
WCL Western Coalfield
WCL Achieves Record Profit Before Tax of Rs. 4,376 Crore in FY 2024–25, All Details Inside
Bihar vegetables
Historic: Bihar Exports Vegetables to Dubai for the First Time: Minister Prem Kumar Flags Off Consignment
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
3 IPS Officers Transferred in Madhya Pradesh Police Department Reshuffle; Priyanka Shukla Made AIG, Bhopal Police HQ
ICAS Service
Ministry of Finance Notifies New Indian Civil Accounts Service Recruitment Rules, 2025 - Here is All You Need To Know
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Renewable Energy
India Must Double Renewable Energy Addition to 50 GW Annually to Hit 2030 Goal, Says S&P Global - Details Inside
THDC-resized
THDC India Commissions Nation’s First Variable Speed Pumped Storage Unit at Tehri, Marks Historic Milestone in Renewable Energy - All Details Mentioned Here
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT