IPS Dinesh MN, currently serving as the Additional Director General of Police – Crime (ADG CRIME) in Rajasthan, has a name that holds a secret related to his village and father. Very few people know that the initials ‘MN’ in his name represent both his village and his father’s name.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education:
IPS Dinesh MN was born on 6th September 1971 in Munaganahally, Chintamani Taluka of Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka, India. His father was a Tehsildar in Bangalore, and his mother was a homemaker. IPS Dinesh MN completed his BE degree from BDT College of Engineering, Davanagrre in the Electronics and Communications branch in 1993. Dinesh MN became an Indian Police Service officer in 1995 and was allotted to the Rajasthan cadre.
In the name of Dinesh MN, M means his village Munaganahalli and N means his father’s name, Narayana Swamy
Police career
Dinesh MN got selected into IPS in 1995 and joined LBSSNAA at Mussoorie for a Foundation course on 4 September 1996. He joined NPA at Hyderabad and completed Basic Police Training Course by October 97 and joined Rajasthan for District training at Jodhpur. After Kashmir Attachment, Army Attachment, and Phase 2 training at Hyderabad he completed two years of training by September 98.
ASP Dausa (September 1998- March 1999)
His first posting in independent charge was as ASP Dausa. Dausa had gained notoriety for Repoll of Repoll at a voting booth in the 96 Loksabha elections. Conducting peaceful elections was the first priority as elections were to be held in the next two months. Under the guidance of SP Dausa Dalpat Singh Dinakar, he launched a drive against history shelters, habitual offenders, wanted criminals, property offenders, bootleggers, warranties, and other anti-social elements. Being from Karnataka communicating in Hindi was little difficult for him initially but he picked up gradually. Continuous pressure on rabid elements and neutrality in actions ensured event-free elections without re-poll in his jurisdiction
ASP Gandhinagar Jaipur
He joined as ASP Gandhinagar at Jaipur in March 1999 in the backdrop of two disturbing events at Rajasthan University. There was a murder of a student at Vivekananda hostel and a student Nishant Bharadhwaj had died after succumbing to injuries caused by self-immolation near the University gate and the students had gone berserk and attacked the police. Guided by the Professional team of Ajit Singh DIG, Saurabh Srivastav SP, and BL Soni SP, a semblance of discipline was restored to Rajasthan University and wrongdoers were booked. However, during Student elections in December police had to resort to a lathi charge after a policeman was hit by a stone.
The tourism mafia was active in Jaipur then, Known hardcore criminals aided by a few unscrupulous Handicraft establishments had divided Jaipur city into areas of dominance. Turf wars resulted in firings and murders. The tourist mafia had different methods to cheat Indian and foreign tourists. Dibbabazi was a successful method of conning gullible foreigners. All the gangs were identified, their dozers prepared and they were booked in relevant sections of the law. Massive crackdown on them by Dinesh led to the arrests of more than 200 antisocial elements who were part of the Tourism mafia. This brought down their activities considerably and got Dinesh a new epithet in their parlance ‘Anna’.
In early 2000, the recovery of a person by Dinesh allegedly picked up by a media house led to controversy, and the issue was raised in Rajasthan Assembly
SP Karauli (May 2000- April 2002)
Dinesh MN joined Karauli District in Eastern Rajasthan on promotion to Superintendent of Police in May 2000. Karauli separated from Madhya Pradesh by the Chambal River was infested with Dacoits, and idol thieves and was known to be a troubled district. His joining coincided with a kidnapping case by the Suraj Mali gang. Ram Singh, Shiv Singh, Vijay Singh, Suraj Mali, Banno Gujar, Jagan Gurjer, Ramkumar Meena,
Purushottam, Mallah, Rawat, and other gangs from Karauli, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Sawaimadhopur, and Madhya Pradesh were actively indulging in Extortions, Murders, Kidnappings and other crimes.
Anti Dacoity Operations in Chambal Ravines
Karauli police under the supervision of Dinesh MN launched aggressive operations against these gangs and neutralized nearly 10-12 gangs in a period of 2 years. Banno Gujar, Suraj Mali, Purushottam, and Jagmohan were killed in Encounters with Police and other gang leaders and their members were either arrested or surrendered. When he got transferred out of Karauli in April 2002 only the Ram Singh gang was left who still terrorised the Chambal Ravines. There were serious allegations against Police in Purushottam and Jagmohan encounters. It was alleged that they were killed in cold blood and there were not any serious Criminal Cases against them. A series of agitations by their community and local political support led to inquiries and investigations by the CID Team of Jaipur under the supervision of an IG which eventually absolved the Police of their charges.
Timangarh Fort – Idol Thieves
Thousand-year Timangarh Fort is a historical fort near Masalpur of Karauli district which was once a thriving township with palaces, bazaars, temples, and residential quarters which over the years became dilapidated and forgotten. Among its ruins treasures and valuable idols have been found which led to idol thieves to feast on its remains. Indian Express in 2001 reported that idols were once lifted out of Timangarh in Helicopters. Raids by Karauli Police based on credible information in 2001 led to the recovery of many precious idols and arrests of idol lifters. Investigations revealed that a very ornate beautiful Surya Bhagwan idol was stolen and Idol smugglers from Agra were bargaining with Karauli idol thieves. Successive raids led to law and order situations and cases were transferred to CID. The doggedness of Dinesh MN paid off and the cases came back to Karauli the Surya Bhagwan idol was recovered and the culprits were arrested by a dynamic SI Rajesh Yadav. People of Karauli thronged to Police Station in Karauli to have Darshan of this rare idol. Aggressive and people-friendly policing in Karauli led to many heinous crimes being solved and law and order situations contained. People perceived the fear of the law among wrongdoers.
SP Sawaimadhopur (April 2002- September 2002)
Communal violence in the Gangapur City of Sawaimadhopur led to the death of 3 persons in a Police Firing in March 2002. The then SP Sawaimadhopur was removed and Dinesh MN was called back from leave and Posted as SP Sawaimadhopur in April 2002 to control the communal situation.
Under his supervision, Sawaimadhopur Police brought back normalcy in Gangapur City within a week.
Ramsingh ( Ramswaroop ) Dacoit Operation
Ramsingh was a very notorious and feared Dacoit who eluded police for nearly twenty years committing heinous crimes Year after year. He was wanted in more than 80 cases of Murder, Kidnapping, Dacoity, and loot. He had committed more than 20 murders, the first being in 1980. He once killed a whole family of five in one night in Kailadevi. He along with his concubine Surjo once killed two brothers just for expressing his inability to provide them with onions in the lunch he forcefully demanded from them. Surjo was a bride kidnapped from her marriage by Ramsingh who later became a feared member of his gang who whipped the victims with a hunter she always carried. Police never had a photograph of Ramsingh.
His writ ran over Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, Dausa, Dholpur, Bundi, Bharatpur, and adjoining areas of Madhya Pradesh. He decided who would cultivate on the banks of Banas River in winter, which truck or tractor would transport the Very tasty and high-quality melons grown in the area, where a school is built, and even who would marry whom in his community. Since the police were not successful in arresting him for 20 years, legends grew around him. It was believed by his followers that he had the blessings of Kailadevi Mata, he could sense police presence from afar, police bullets can’t touch him and will turn to water when they near him, and police will go blind when they approach him. When someone is not caught for two decades, such stories and beliefs get credence among the gullible. One senior policeman once told Dinesh MN that Ramsingh is like God, he can’t be seen but his presence can be felt always and in those affected areas.
Dinesh had been working against this gang since Karauli days with a dedicated team under Ramnath Singh SI, a brilliant young police official belonging to the same community as Ramsingh Dacoit. The team carefully analyzed the reasons for the failure to catch him for twenty years and built the whole operation on the lessons learned from those failures. They started booking cases against his supporters mostly from his community who were grouped into four categories of
1. Core members– who planned and executed crimes and gave crucial inputs
2. Casual members– who provided food shelter and information
about police movements
3. conduits– who facilitated gang movement from one place to another doing recce and providing transportation when needed
4. pressure groups– including a few advocates and politicians who mounted pressure against police operations by complaining to NHRC, courts, or their leaders in Government for whom their votes mattered.
Once the core group was isolated by booking cases and arresting the other three groups, pressure started to build on core members, and when police felt one of them had reached the breaking point he was picked up on 14 th April 2002.
He led police to Gojari village of Malarna Dungar Police Station limits of Sawaimadhopur. A fierce gun battle with Ramnath’s team led to the death of Ramsingh and his accomplice Vishnu Rebari on 17 April 2002. A carbine, 4 HE-36 hand grenades, and other weapons were recovered. Large numbers of people turned out to have a look at his body, Indian Express and Dainik Navjyoti pegged the numbers to nearly forty thousand.
This was the last Dacoit gang active at that time in the Chambal ravines of Rajasthan. Eleven of the team members got one step promotion within a fortnight. Dinesh MN was felicitated by Governor on 15 August 2002 with a Pistol and a commendation letter
Ranthambore National Park problem
Illegal grazing had been a permanent problem in Ranthambore National Park which is most famed for good Tiger sightings. Villagers argued that Park had been their traditional age-old grazing ground and the Forest The department alleged that grazing threatened Tiger conservation and also allowed easy hiding and poaching for antisocial elements. Clashes of villagers with authorities in August 2002 led to law and order disturbances and police had to resort to firing in which many villagers were injured and police also suffered heavy injuries. This snowballed into a major confrontation between authorities and villagers backed by local politicians. Dinesh MN was transferred out of Sawaimadhopur on 6 September 2002 and made APO on this issue. The people of Sawaimadhopur expressed their resentment by resorting to Bandh and agitations against this transfer
Later WWF PATA award was given to Dinesh for his contributions to the area of Tiger Conservation.
SP Jhunjhunu (May 2003- July 2004)
Jhunjhunu is an important district in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan which gave the highest number of Kargil martyrs and military men to the country. This district is Known for Education, Enterprise, and willingness for Uniformed Services.
Two elections were held during the tenure of Dinesh MN. Strict actions against antisocial elements, bootleggers, and hardcore criminals ensured the peaceful conduction of the 2003 Assembly and 2004 Parliamentary elections. Betting, better known as Satta is highly prevalent in this region and those involved get very active and try to influence elections. Action against some of such elements angered the local politicians and Dinesh was transferred to Rajasthan Police Academy in July 2004
SP Udaipur (August 2004- April 2007)
This was the district where Dinesh MN attained great heights and popularity for his strict and no-nonsense kind of policing, but also got into the rigmarole of a legal labyrinth and personal difficulties. Sarada is a sleepy town in Udaipur district. A murder of a tribal youth by a hardcore criminal plunged the town into a communal frenzy and police had to resort to firing in July 2004. Dinesh was transferred to Udaipur as SP on August 4, 2004, to contain the communal situation where there were apprehensions of a tribal attack on the town
Dinesh started rounding up all antisocial elements and increased police presence throughout the district. He also launched intense drives against wanted criminals, bootleggers, extortionists, drug peddlers, property offenders, hardcore criminals, and organized crime. Starting with ‘Hawk’, vehicles with mobile connections doing 24 hrs patrolling thus providing easy accessibility to police services brought down the crime rate in Udaipur within 2-3 months. Udaipur was always known for gang rivalries and organized gangs existed because of liquor smuggling to Gujrat which had prohibition. But the Uneasy calm in gang activities for nearly 5 months was soon to end
On 31st December 2004 when Udaipur police were celebrating the success of the arrest of one hardcore criminal Rashid carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 from the State Government and wanted for eight years, another history sheeter Hamid Lala was gunned down by 3 unknown assailants on the bike at Hathipole which is the heart of Udaipur City. Investigations revealed that the Azam gang was involved and most accused were arrested. The involvement of one Sohrabuddin, a Hardcore criminal of Ujjain, and his shooter Tulsiram Prajapati sent Udaipur police to Madhya Pradesh in their search. State Government declared Rs 25,000 for the arrest of Sohrabuddin who was once caught with 24 AK 56 weapons, many HE 36 hand grenades, and nearly 5,000 AK 56 bullets by the Ahmedabad Crime branch.
Newspapers had then reported that this arms consignment was part of 1993 Mumbai blast arms and explosives which were procured by Abdul Latif from Pakistan ISI. Sohrabuddin was a close associate of Ahmedabad Mafia Don Abdul Latif. He was convicted in TADA and had escaped from Bail and committed some murders and extortions in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Tulsiram Prajapati had initially started off as a thief but later became a dreaded shooter under the tutelage of Sohrabuddin
After the Hamid Lala murder, Udaipur police went on a drive against known criminals more aggressively and increased patrolling which brought back the peace to District. No major Crimes or Law and Order disturbances were reported. Tourism, Liquor, land, and drug mafia activities were brought under control.
Major crimes like murders and Dacoity were worked out and offenders were put behind bars. The trust of the Public and fear of Criminals increased regarding Udaipur Police under the energetic policing of Dinesh MN and he attained an image of an officer working with integrity, determination, and professionalism
In November 2005 newspapers reported that Sohrabuddin was killed in an encounter by Gujrat and Rajasthan Police. Tulsiram Prajapati was arrested by the end of 2005 and lodged in Udaipur Central Jail. However, according to media reports, he was killed in an encounter with Rajasthan and Gujarat Police in December 2006 while he escaped from Police Custody while he was being brought back to Udaipur from the Ahmedabad Court hearing
Rishabhdev – Law and Order
Kesariya ji Mandir is a temple in which the deity was worshipped with equal reverence by Hindus as Vishnu Bhagwan, Jains as Thirthankara Rishabha, and by tribals as Kale Baba. A Supreme Court order at the beginning of the year 2007 regarding the ownership of the temple started a chain of events that engulfed not just Udaipur but all the districts surrounding it in violence and disturbances.
Temple was an important part of a tribal culture where the blessing of the deity was sought in every important event like birth, marriage or even death. Tribals felt their entry to Temple would be snatched from them and their entry to the temple would be banned forever. They responded to their traditional call of Dhol, beating of drums and asking them to gather because of any threat, and attacked Rishabh Dev town.
Under SP Dinesh MN, Udaipur police had to resort to lathi-charge, tear gas shells and even firing for 3 days. Ammunition of almost half of Rajasthan was used and the disturbances resulted in a huge loss of property and the death of a tribal. Many policemen including SP Dinesh were injured and peace was restored after 3-4 days of negotiations with tribal leaders and local politicians
SP Alwar (April 9-April 24 2007)
Dinesh MN joined Alwar as SP in the backdrop of ongoing investigations into the Sohrabuddin Encounter in Gujarat. On 24.4.2007 Gujarat CID arrested Dinesh MN along with DG Vanzara DIG and Rajkumar Pandian SP from Gujarat
Dinesh had told his staff in Alwar and his wife that he would come back to Alwar in 2 days when he left for Ahmedabad on 20.4.2007.
Agitations against the arrest of Dinesh
The sudden arrest of three IPS officers shocked the whole country and Rajasthan erupted in anger against the arrest of Dinesh MN. Dinesh had gained immense popularity among the public where ever he worked for his integrity, determination to curb crime, friendly approach to people, and tough action against hardcore criminals or bandits of Chambal.
Vasundhara Raje, the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan sent Gulab Chand Kataria, the then Home Minister, VS Singh Home Secretary, and AS Gill DGP of Rajasthan to Ahmedabad to lodge a protest against the arrest of their trusted officer with the Gujrat Government. Gulab Chand Kataria vouched for the integrity of Dinesh MN asking the media to call any telephone number in Rajasthan and that they would get positive feedback about the arrested officer.
Many districts where Dinesh had worked erupted in anger and the entire police force stood by him. There were agitations across the state and were more pronounced in Alwar, Udaipur, Dausa, Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, and Jhunjhunu.
Even though Dinesh remained in Alwar for just a fortnight they resorted to Bandh, Dharna, and other forms of protest. They stopped trains going to Gujrat. Posters in support of Dinesh MN were pasted on trains, buses, and other vehicles and a huge poster of Dinesh MN was erected in the middle of the city.
Protests in Udaipur lasted longer and were more widespread. The anguish, disbelief, and sense of injustice poured the people into the streets. A historical bandh was organized on 1.5.2007 in Udaipur and marches, dharnas continued for a month. People felt Dinesh had worked for their safety and the Udaipur police teams risked their lives and careers in those encounters to keep Udaipur crime free. Media reported heartwarming stories of People conducting Poojas, yagnas, fasts, and prayers and leaving one-time meals for the safe and early return of Dinesh MN to the state of Rajasthan. One person was arrested by police trying to commit self-immolation in protest of the arrest of Dinesh MN.
Sohrabuddin- Tulsiram Prajapati Encounter Cases
The Sohrabuddin- Tulsiram Prajapati encounter cases were a series of high-profile criminal cases in India that involved the alleged fake encounters of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati. These cases gained significant attention due to the controversial circumstances surrounding the encounters and the subsequent investigations.
Sohrabuddin Sheikh was a criminal who was allegedly involved in various illegal activities, including extortion and arms smuggling. He was killed in an encounter on November 26, 2005, by the Gujarat Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). According to the official version of events, Sheikh was shot dead in self-defense when he attempted to escape while being transported.
Tulsiram Prajapati, a key witness to the encounter, was also killed in another encounter on December 28, 2006. It was alleged that Prajapati’s encounter was carried out to eliminate a witness who could provide crucial information about the Sohrabuddin case.
The encounters of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati raised serious questions about the legality and authenticity of the encounters. Many believed that the encounters were staged to cover up extrajudicial killings and that the victims were falsely implicated in criminal activities.
The cases gained national attention when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigations in 2010. The CBI filed chargesheets against several police officers, including IPS officers, alleging their involvement in the fake encounters.
The trials of the accused police officers were marred by controversies, including allegations of witness tampering and political interference. In 2018, the special CBI court acquitted all the accused due to lack of evidence and inconsistencies in witness statements. The verdict sparked a significant debate and criticism about the handling of the case and the justice system.
The Sohrabuddin- Tulsiram Prajapati encounter cases highlighted the issue of extrajudicial killings and the need for an impartial and transparent investigation process. The cases raised concerns about the misuse of power by law enforcement agencies and the need for accountability and justice.
Career
IPS Dinesh MN joined the Indian Police Service in 1995 and was allotted to the Rajasthan Cadre. He got his first field posting as ASP in Dausa. He served as SP in Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Jhunjhunu, and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan. During his tenure as SP, he earned a reputation for being a tough and honest officer.
In 2006, IPS Dinesh MN was arrested in connection with the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case and was sentenced to seven years in jail. After his release in 2014, he was reinstated into the service and was appointed as Inspector General of Police in the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Rajasthan. Under his leadership, the SOG cracked down on the gang of Rajasthan’s biggest criminal Anandpal Singh. The encounter took place in Churu’s Malasar under the leadership of Dinesh MN.
In 2018, IPS Dinesh MN was appointed as Inspector General of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan. During his tenure as IG-ACB, he led several high-profile investigations that resulted in the arrest of many corrupt officials. His work in the ACB earned him a promotion to Additional Director General of ACB in February 2020. Later that year, he was appointed as Additional Director General of Police – Crime (ADG CRIME) in Rajasthan.
Achievements
IPS Dinesh MN is known for his dedication, honesty, and bravery in his career as a police officer. During his tenure as SP in Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Jhunjhunu, and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan, he led several successful operations against criminals. As Inspector General of SOG in Rajasthan, he played a crucial role in neutralizing the gang of Anandpal Singh, one of the most wanted criminals in Rajasthan.
During his tenure as Inspector General of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan, he led several high-profile investigations that resulted in the arrest of many corrupt officials, including IAS officer Ashok Singhvi, who was working as Mines Secretary. His work in the ACB earned him a promotion to Additional Director General of ACB in February 2020.
IPS Dinesh MN has been honored with several awards for his outstanding work as a police officer. He has been awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Personal Life: IPS Dinesh MN is married to Vijayalakshmi, who is an Assistant Professor at a college in Jaipur. The couple has two daughters. IPS Dinesh MN’s father was a Tehsildar in Bangalore, and his mother was a homemaker. IPS Dinesh MN is known to be a family man and often credits his family for his success in his career.
IPS Dinesh MN: A Fearless Enforcer of Law and Order
Rajasthan, [Date] – IPS Dinesh MN, a distinguished officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), has emerged as a fearless enforcer of law and order, gaining admiration and respect from both his colleagues and the public. With an unwavering commitment to justice, he has played a pivotal role in combating crime and upholding the principles of law in Rajasthan.
Known for his exceptional leadership skills and a no-nonsense approach, IPS Dinesh MN has been at the forefront of numerous successful operations against organized crime syndicates, drug traffickers, and corrupt individuals. His relentless pursuit of justice has earned him a reputation as a beacon of hope for the residents of Rajasthan.
Throughout his illustrious career, IPS Dinesh MN has demonstrated unwavering dedication and courage in the face of adversity. His commitment to upholding the law and protecting the innocent has not only earned him accolades but has also inspired a new generation of police officers.
IPS Dinesh MN’s journey in the police force has been marked by numerous achievements and accolades. Rising through the ranks, he has held key positions in various districts, including Udaipur, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, and Sawai Madhopur. His relentless efforts to maintain law and order, curb crime, and ensure the safety of the public have earned him the respect and admiration of his subordinates and peers.
Notably, IPS Dinesh MN played a crucial role in dismantling the criminal network of the notorious gangster Anandpal Singh. Under his leadership, the Special Operations Group (SOG) successfully neutralized the gang, ensuring the safety and security of the people of Rajasthan.
Beyond his operational successes, IPS Dinesh MN is also known for his integrity and dedication to ethical policing. He has been instrumental in driving initiatives to eradicate corruption and promote transparency within the police force. His contributions to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) have been commendable, leading to the arrest of several high-ranking officials involved in corrupt practices.
IPS Dinesh MN’s unwavering commitment to public service and his ability to maintain law and order in challenging situations have earned him the admiration of the public and his colleagues. His tireless efforts and exemplary leadership continue to inspire a sense of security and confidence among the residents of Rajasthan.
As IPS Dinesh MN continues his remarkable journey, he serves as a shining example of an officer who remains undeterred in the face of adversity. His commitment to justice, integrity, and the well-being of the society he serves sets a benchmark for law enforcement professionals across the country.
With his fearlessness, determination, and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice, IPS Dinesh MN stands as a true guardian of law and order, ensuring the safety and security of Rajasthan’s residents.
