The 1980s and early 1990s stand out as India’s most violent decade, particularly for Delhi. This period saw the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the horrific riots that ensued; the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi; the murders of Lalit Maken and General Vaidya; public attacks by terrorists, including transistor bomb explosions; and a significant rise in drug abuse and financial frauds. It was an era marked by dramatic crime, assassinations, and terrorism. IPS officer Mr. Amod K. Kanth found himself directly or indirectly linked to all these cases. During this tumultuous time, he served in Delhi as Deputy Commissioner to Central Delhi, West Delhi, and also in the Delhi Crime Branch for the longest five years. While he had the opportunity to investigate most of these cases, it also profoundly influenced his personality as an officer. This led to his eventual transformation, driven by a need to seek a broader and more transformative perspective in policing, aiming to foster more expanded and meaningful interactions between the police and the community.
Mr. Kanth has shared his experiences and insights in his book titled “Khaki in Dust Storm: Communal Colours and Political Assassinations.” In the book, he uncovers previously unknown facts, delves into the mindset of the perpetrators, and recounts behind-the-scenes actions.
The book also tells the story of his own transformation as a police officer. After joining the prestigious Indian Police Service, Mr. Kanth found his ambitions limited by the traditional and narrow view of policing in India.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Kanth who is an IPS officer of 1974 batch and AGMUT cadre talks about the book which describes the investigations led by him during the tumultuous time.
WHY THIS BOOK
Mr. Kanth, honored with the President’s Police Medals and a Gallantry Award, has held several important positions, including DGP of Goa and Arunachal Pradesh. He is also a social activist, best known as the founder of the NGO Prayas, a children’s rights advocate, and the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR).
When asked why he wrote his book, Mr. Kanth said, “During 1981-91, Delhi became an extension of Punjab and was targeted frequently. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale even came to Delhi with a lot of weapons and targeted Tihar Jail. I was DCP West and was called to handle the situation, which I did. That was my first interaction with him. Policing was very difficult at that time. With this book, I wanted to provide a complete and truthful account of what was happening and how the police force was in a huge crisis.”
TRANFORMATION
Ms. Indira Gandhi was cremated within Mr. Kanth’s jurisdiction. Her death triggered the 1984 riots, during which Mr. Kanth was in charge of Central Delhi. Despite the chaos, he and his team minimized the damage in their area. For his bravery and for saving thousands of lives, he received a gallantry award. The Justice Nanavati Commission and the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission, both formed to investigate the riots, praised his efforts.
Reflecting on that time, Mr. Kanth said, “It was a really difficult and sad time. I didn’t feel like receiving any award. Later on, after so many years, I realized that we had done something significant.”
The riots led to the Transistor bomb-blast cases in 1985. On May 10, bombs hidden in transistors exploded on buses and in other places in Delhi and nearby areas of UP and Haryana. In the following days, two more live transistor bombs were found in Delhi. The blasts killed 49 people and injured 127 in Delhi alone. Mr. Kanth was put in charge of investigating these blasts. He and his team arrested more than 50 people involved.
A major revelation came when he spoke with some of the suspects. Many of them had no criminal background; they were victims of the riots, filled with a burning desire for revenge. “I still think about them and that period. How one event can lead to another and change everything forever. That incident really changed me as a police officer. I was not the same Amod Kanth anymore,” he shares. The experience deeply impacted him, highlighting how trauma and the desire for revenge can fuel further violence, forever altering his approach to policing and justice.
In his book, Mr. Kanth discusses how the police are often scapegoated for failures and shamed by the public. He explains that situations can sometimes spiral out of control, exacerbated by political pressure and systemic corruption. His book offers a reflective and true account of these volatile times. Toward the end, he advocates for community policing, emphasizing its necessity and proposing reforms for the policing system.
