https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The Fearless Trailblazer: Arup Patnaik’s Journey from Bureaucracy to Politics

The 1979-batch IPS officer received the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2003 and the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1994.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Mr. Arup Patnaik, a 1979-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, rose to become the Police Commissioner of Mumbai. He could be called the Original Singham, as several Bollywood blockbusters have been inspired by his life and work. Although he was not successful in his first attempt to reach the Lok Sabha from Bhubaneshwar in 2019, he is again in the fray, this time from Puri. Let’s take a look at his administrative and political journey.

Arup Patnaik was the first Odia to become Police Commissioner of Mumbai. He broke the backbone of organized criminals in the Maximum City during his tenure as DCP from 1991 to 1994. He neutralized numerous sharpshooters from mafia gangs like Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, and Arun Gawli. Patnaik also investigated the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, seizing 1,500 kg of RDX from Mumbra port meant to be used in the bombings.

Patnaik unraveled the Harshad Mehta scam after being sent on deputation to the CBI in 1994. He was finally elevated to Mumbai Police Commissioner in 2011. Nicknamed “Bar Buster,” he cracked down on illegal bars, particularly those with alleged underworld connections. During his tenure as Mumbai Police chief, a serial bomb blast in July 2011 killed 26 people. Arup was lauded by his colleagues for his “fast decision-making ability on police reforms.”

From his early days as a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police in Nasik to his subsequent postings as the Superintendent of Police in Latur, Nagpur, and Jalgaon, Patnaik’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of citizens was unwavering. His fearless stance against political heavyweights and his determination to maintain law and order became the stuff of legend.

He received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2003 and the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1994.

His numerous forays against gangsters have been etched on celluloid. In the 2004 action movie Aan: Men at Work, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar portrayed DCP “Hari Om Patnaik,” a combination of his father’s first name (Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia) and Patnaik’s surname. Hussain Zaidi’s 2002 book Black Friday detailed the 1993 Mumbai bombings, an attack comprising 13 explosions that killed 250 people. Zaidi dedicated an entire chapter to Patnaik and his handling of the situation. The book was adapted into a film by Anurag Kashyap in 2007, with actor Sharad Ponkshe playing Arup Patnaik.

For Patnaik, the journey to politics was much easier than tackling gangsters. After retirement, he returned to his home state of Odisha and joined the Biju Janata Dal, which has been in power there since 1999. In April 2018, he was personally inducted into the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik. In the 2019 Indian general election, Patnaik lost by only 21,000 votes to the formidable Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Aparajita Sarangi, a former IAS officer herself.

Undeterred, Patnaik continued to rise through the ranks of the BJD. He was appointed the convener of the party’s social service wing, ‘Odisha Mo Parivar,’ in October 2019. He spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the underprivileged and marginalized. He was also appointed the head of Biju Yuva Vahini in 2018, with a Cabinet Minister’s rank.

Patnaik’s dedication to public service extended far beyond the confines of his official duties. As the founder and Managing Trustee of the Konark Cancer Foundation, he supports cancer patients and their families, ensuring access to essential medical treatment, shelter, and emotional support.

He has again been fielded as BJD’s Lok Sabha candidate, this time from the adjoining constituency of Puri. Here, he is locked in a high-stakes contest against BJP’s national spokesman, Dr. Sambit Patra, who also lost in 2019 by a mere 11,000 votes from Puri. It’s thus a battle for redemption between a former supercop and a former medico.

In the annals of modern India, few individuals have left an indelible mark that transcends the boundaries of their professions. Arup Patnaik stands as one of them, a trailblazer. His journey has seamlessly transitioned from the hallowed corridors of bureaucracy to the tumultuous arena of politics. His life is a tapestry woven with threads of unwavering integrity, fearlessness, and an uncompromising commitment to public service. These are the qualities that have defined his every step, inspiring awe and admiration in equal measure.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Bank of India - BOI
Results: Bank of India Q2 Net Profit Up 7.6% to ₹2,554 Crore as Asset Quality Strengthens
IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case
Postmortem Reveals Ruptured Organs in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar’s Death; Chandigarh Court Orders Laptop Handover to SIT in Ongoing Suicide Case
retirement
Union Government Compulsorily Retires Senior Railway Engineer After UPSC Nod | Date of Birth Discrepancy Sparked Long Legal Battle
REC Limited
Result: REC Declares ₹4.60/Share as 2nd Interim Dividend After Highest-Ever H1 PAT of ₹8,877 Cr in FY26
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVCL)
PESB Recommends Manish Pradhan as Director (Technical) of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited
CCL Mine Rescue Competition 2025
CCL Hosts 39th Zonal Mine Rescue Competition 2025 Showcasing Excellence in Mine Safety
SJVN_Director_Personnel_inaugurated_
SJVN Unveils ₹36 Lakh Development and Green Initiatives at NJHPS Project Area in Himachal Pradesh
IRAS
Who Is Shalini Darbari, IRAS Officer Appointed as Additional Member (Finance) in Indian Railways Board? | Western Railway’s PFA Elevated
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Ruchi Jat MPPSC
She Worked in Fields, Danced Ghoomar - Now She’ll Govern Districts: Ruchi Jat Cracks MPPSC 2024 with Rank 6, Becomes Deputy Collector
From a farmer's daughter in Pipalkhunta to securing 6th rank in MPPSC 2024, Ruchi Jat's inspiring journey...
VikramDeo Saryam MPPSC
He Couldn't Pay Engineering Fees, Now He’s a Deputy Collector: Meet Vikram Deo, Farmer’s Son Who Cracked MPPSC with Sheer Willpower
Vikram, a farmer’s son from Ramgovindpur, overcame financial hardships and years of setbacks to secure...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Bank of India - BOI
Results: Bank of India Q2 Net Profit Up 7.6% to ₹2,554 Crore as Asset Quality Strengthens
IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case
Postmortem Reveals Ruptured Organs in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar’s Death; Chandigarh Court Orders Laptop Handover to SIT in Ongoing Suicide Case
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT