Pritam Singh Bhindar, who passed away a couple of days ago, was Delhi’s second Police Commissioner and an officer whose name figured in multiple controversies. However, so far as police functioning was concerned, there are not many who can measure up to his professional abilities, though he had to face numerous difficulties in the course of his eventful career, including a short term in the Tihar jail, in connection with the encounter featuring an infamous dacoit, Sunder, who had allegedly threatened to kill Sanjay Gandhi during the emergency. Bhindar along with some of his colleagues served time in prison, and it was this period, which brought about a huge transformation in his outlook. He and others were arrested for the alleged encounter during the Janata party rule.
It is another story that in the recent past, so many senior officers have got away with what have been cold blooded killings in the name of such armed engagements with suspects believed to be criminals. Bhindar was the topper of the 1958 batch, (originally Punjab cadre but later Haryana). His illustrious batchmates included VG Vidya, former Director of Intelligence Bureau, Raja Vijay Karan and V.K.Jain. Having joined the police at a very young age; he was recruited as an Inspector in the Punjab police but subsequently cleared the IPS examination. He had many recollections of his earlier years. His favourite recollection was about how he had cracked a murder case in Lahaul Spiti (then a part of Punjab) after travelling to the spot for almost three months. This was the time it would take in the 1950s during the cold winter months when snow restricted all kind of movement. His professionalism was recognized by his peers and it was during the emergency, he was hand-picked by the ruling dispensation to join the Delhi police as DIG (Range).
There used to be a single Range at that point of time and Bhindar became one of the most powerful police officers to be posted in the national capital. It was during this stint that he came in close contact with Sanjay Gandhi, whose liking for him was instantaneous. Bhindar had undergone an operation for Piles, when violence broke out in the Turkman Gate area following a demolition drive ordered by the authorities who were advised by the then DDA Vice Chairman, Jagmohan. Though Bhindar’s name if often taken in connection with the violence, he had once told me that the entire thing had been planned by Jagmohan and when things went out of control he was summoned. He was unfit to discharge his duties due to medical reasons, but reached the spot. His stitches came out and blood was all over the seat of his pants, as he conducted the police operations that ensued. Bhindar was later accused of being involved in the murder of Sunder, who as per reports was forced into deep water and made to drown by Delhi police personnel who had arrested him.
Bhindar would recall that rubbing shoulders with the common people including criminals while on way to the courts, had affected and transformed his thinking. Soon after the Janata Party rule was over, Sanjay Gandhi insisted on appointing Jagmohan as the Lt. Governor and Bhindar as the Police Commissioner, putting their seniors in a dock.
Jagmohan was at that time in the IAS and his appointment happened after he resigned from the civil service. Similarly, several IPS officers who were senior to Bhindar moved out of Delhi. He served as the CP for nearly 23 months. I can recall that it was on December 23rd or 24 when I had gone to see him in the late afternoon. A test match was in progress at the Ferozeshah Kotla grounds and after I entered his office, I saw him presenting sewing machines to the widows of two Constables—Tejpal Singh and Pale Ram, who had died while on duty. He looked up at me and in chaste Punjabi informed me that in the next one hour, he would be handing over charge to Bajrang Lal, a fellow Police officer who would be replacing him. Was taken aback for a while but then called up my office to send a photographer for the handing over taking over ceremony. Bhindar had gone and there was no Sanjay Gandhi who had passed away in June, 1980 to protect him.
He was subsequently appointed IG (Law and Order) in the Punjab police and his tenure was cut short by the rise of militancy. There were hurdles that were created for him and his elevation to the rank of DGP was held up by the then government. I remember doing an article in the Hindu on how he was being denied his due. The Home Ministry finally intervened in the matter. One evening, when I returned to the Hindu office, located at that time in the INS building, there were scores of armed police personnel all over.
On inquiring I was told that some senior officer was in the Hindu office and when I entered Bhindar was there and hugged me while thanking me for the article that had helped him in getting justice. In the past few decades, the only time one would get to meet him was at the annual function to mark the Delhi police raising day where all senior officers, past and present were amongst the attendees. Bhindar had good political connections; his wife, Sukhbans Kaur Bhindar represented the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat for the Congress at least four times. He was a police officer to core and was never hesitant in speaking out his mind on various issues. Incidentally, he has been the only Sikh to become the Delhi CP.
Many other Sikhs who could have held the office such as KS Bajwa, Kishan Singh, Rajinder Singh Sahaye and Gurcharan Singh died prematurely. PS Bawa was overlooked and amongst the current lot, it is unlikely that Tejinder Luthra would get the coveted post. Bhindar’s funeral took place with full state honours on Friday but unfortunately other than Dr K.K.Paul, no other senior colleague of the former CP was present.