Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur was arrested early Wednesday by the Lucknow Crime Branch at Shahjahanpur Junction. Thakur was traveling to Delhi on the Lucknow Superfast Express when police, already stationed at the stop, removed him from the AC coach.
He was taken to Deoria for questioning in connection with a land allotment case dating back to 1999.
Who is Ex-IPS Amitabh Thakur?
Amitabh Thakur is a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, widely recognized for his fearless approach to law enforcement and integrity-driven career. He has consistently questioned bureaucratic irregularities and resisted undue political influence, often at the cost of his professional advancement.
Thakur has recently been in the news after being arrested by the Lucknow Crime Branch in connection with a 1999 land allotment case in Deoria, where allegations involve forged documents and fraudulent acquisition of an industrial plot by his wife, Nutan Thakur.
IPS Amitabh Thakur Education Background
Amitabh Thakur was born on June 16, 1968, in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and he did his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1989.
Ex-IPS Thakur began his career in engineering but soon joined the IPS in 1992, choosing the Uttar Pradesh cadre. His technical background has often been cited as giving him analytical skills useful in police investigations.
IPS Career Highlights of Amitabh Thakur
During his 29 years of service, Thakur held several key positions across Uttar Pradesh:
- Superintendent of Police in Deoria, Gonda, Ballia, Firozabad, and Maharajganj
- Roles in intelligence, vigilance, anti-corruption, and the Police Training Academy
Thakur earned a reputation as an officer who tackled corruption head-on. Known for his strict enforcement of law and high-profile clashes with political leaders, including Mulayam Singh Yadav, he became a public figure associated with integrity and courage in policing.
Allegations of Forged Land Allotment on Amitabh Thakur
Police allege that Thakur, while serving as Superintendent of Police in Deoria, misused his position to help his wife, Nutan Thakur, secure Industrial Plot No. B-2 at the District Industries Center in Deoria. Authorities claim the plot was obtained using forged identities and falsified documents.
A complaint by Sanjay Sharma of Rajajipuram states that Nutan Thakur allegedly used the false name “Nootan Devi,” a forged husband’s name “Abhijaat/Abhitap Thakur,” and a fake address in Sitamarhi, Bihar. Multiple documents, including application forms, affidavits, treasury challans, and transfer deeds, were reportedly created to mislead government departments. The plot was later sold using the couple’s real identities, keeping officials and banks unaware of the fraud for years.
An FIR under IPC Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 34, and 120-B was registered at Talkatora Police Station on September 12, 2025. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by ACP Chowk Raj Kumar Singh, reportedly verified the allegations before moving to arrest Thakur.
Other Controversies of Ex-IPS Amitabh Thakur
Thakur’s career has been marked by several high-profile disputes:
- 2021 Arrest: Shortly after announcing his intention to contest the Assembly elections against UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Thakur was arrested and later granted bail in March 2022.
- Forced Retirement: In June 2021, the Uttar Pradesh government retired him forcibly after the Ministry of Home Affairs deemed him “unsuitable for government service.”
Despite these challenges, he remained a symbol of resistance against undue political influence within the police system.
1999 Deoria Land Allegations
Amitabh Thakur’s latest controversy involves allegations that he helped his wife secure Industrial Plot No. B-2 in Deoria is using forged documents, fake identities, and fabricated information. The plot was later sold using the couple’s real identities, allegedly keeping authorities and banks misled for years.
The complaint was filed by Sanjay Sharma of Rajajipuram, leading to an FIR under multiple IPC sections, including cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Thakur was arrested on September 12, 2025, while traveling from Lucknow to Delhi.
Personal Traits and Reputation of Ex-IPS Amitabh Thakur
Thakur is widely regarded as a disciplined, fearless, and upright officer. He has often been praised for standing up to corruption and challenging systemic irregularities. His detractors, however, argue that his confrontational approach led to clashes with political figures and colleagues.
Thakur’s legal team is preparing to defend him in the ongoing Deoria land fraud case. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will present evidence in court, and his arrest has sparked debate over policing, politics, and accountability in Uttar Pradesh.
