An ex-IPS officer explains why suicide cases among senior police officers are rising
In less than a month, India has lost two highly decorated police officers, both attached with the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS). Coincidentally, both committed suicide with their service weapons. While one of them was Mumbai top cop, Himanshu Roy, who was reported to be suffering from a critical ailment, the other — Rajesh Sahni of Uttar Pradesh ATS - had no known health issue driving him to end his life. No suicide note has been found yet and therefore various speculations are going on.
Sahni was a decorated officer, full of professional competence. Good and honest police officers are scarce in today’s world, but Sahni was a rare exception. Impeccable integrity with a pleasant disposition - Sahni always empathised with the aggrieved.
It gives us immense grief to communicate the unfortunate demise of Rajesh Sahni, Adl SP ATS. He was one of the most promising officers of UP Police . The reasons of his suicide are still being ascertained . Our prayers with the family. May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/wijPbHb5Kx
— DGP UP (@dgpup) May 29, 2018
I appeal to all GO’s of UPPolice to voluntarily contribute towards financial assistance of the family of late Addl. SP Shri Rajesh Sahni. I am contributing one day’s salary towards the same. The entire department firmly stands behind the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
— DGP UP (@dgpup) May 31, 2018
As officer in-charge of the communally sensitive Chowk area, in the old city of Lucknow, he had handled difficult situations with patience and fairness and won the confidence of both Shia and Sunni communities who would often clash over religious issues.
Here in the Chowk itself, he was once challenged by some elements close to powerful political forces who threatened him with death. Undeterred, a courageous Sahni took on the miscreants and taught them a lesson besides defying all political pressures. This combination of humaneness and toughness was what helped him triumph over all adversaries, always smiling in even the toughest of circumstances.
I can say this with some confidence and authority as I too once served as a cop in Lucknow in exactly the same capacity. More specifically, I was responsible for policing in the Chowk area where I handled sensitivite matters related to the two sects of a community often threatening law and order.
A police officer, particularly in a much politicised state like Uttar Pradesh, is required to wear many hats. Sahni was on a staff job as the deputy assistant to the director-general of police who delicately balances and acts between the DGP and those coming in contact with him. Sahni proved his mettle here too by acting as a bridge between the aggrieved and the DGP. All petition seekers still recall, with immense gratitude, Sahni’s contributions while handing this important desk.
Due to his proficiency, Sahni was deputed to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for some years and he did not fail his organisation or employers. His return to his home state, UP, was indeed useful to the unwieldy state.
I reckon Sahni’s term in UP ATS was the most glorifying in terms of tackling growing terror threats and dismantling of several modules active in the state. His biggest achievement was breaking the Khorasan module, active at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI. Despite the usual threats looming over the officer handling such cases, Sahni, like Himanshu Roy, withstood the rigours with ease and calm, or that’s what it looked like. Of course, what was happening within remains shrouded in mystery.
Sahni was always cheerful, forever helpful and his favourable conduct carried him well throughout his career. Yet he chose to end his life so prematurely is a matter of immense lament.
India losing two excellent police officers in quick succession has dealt a severe blow to the fraternity. The Lucknow ATS is still reeling under shock. Was there some kind of pressure that drove Sahni to take the extreme step? There were no discernible signs of an imminent cause. The loss is obviously irreparable and the police think tank, training academies, psychologists and numerous veterans of police must brainstorm to ensure that such upright officers don’t fall prey to pressures of work with no platform to vent their ire, if any. Senior officers in the hierarchy would do well to undertake periodic reviews of the offices and officers handling high pressure and sensitive responsibilities to pre-empt any recurrence of such avoidable tragedies.
The government of UP has done well by transferring the probe into the suicide to the CBI. It is expected that the probe agency will conduct the inquiry in all fairness. This will be reassuring to fellow cops who may be feeling insecure in the aftermath of Sahni’s unnatural death. A CBI inquiry will also put to rest unnecessary rumours and speculations that may be rife.
Specialised wings like the ATS come into being and grow from strength to strength over a passage of time. Such suicides would obviously discourage the young and aspiring police officers to come forward and join such specialised wings, particularly at a juncture when the country is fraught with perils of terror. Being associated with the ATS in some of their training programmes, I know how precious it is, meriting maximum care, nurture and attention.