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Police Inspector Story: This is the story of a police inspector who eliminated 54 criminals. Faced 82 transfers in his 33-year career. To ensure that no one gives bribe, he even got his pockets cut and kept Hanuman Chalisa with him. Today, even at the age of 71, Shraddha of those 54 criminals is performed in every Pitru Paksha.
Police Inspector Story: Looking at 71 year old Mahendra Singh Negi, no one can say that he is the same person who killed 54 dreaded criminals in encounters during his 33 years of service. He has a big moustache, a calm face and talks with such simplicity as if he is just a retired uncle drinking tea, but if you listen to his story, you will get goosebumps. He used to shoot the criminal and then perform his last rites himself.
From 1981 to 2014: 82 transfers in 33 years
Mahendra Singh Negi came to UP Police as SI from Almora, Uttarakhand in 1981. There were postings in areas like Saharanpur, Ghaziabad, Baghpat where riots and gang wars were common. In his 33 years of service, he was transferred a total of 82 times. Sometimes he was sent to the police station with more crime and sometimes on the special wish of the seniors, but Negi Saheb never complained. Negi says I knew I never did anything wrong. Wherever sent, did duty honestly.
criminals were not my enemies
In a report of Times of India, Mahendra Singh Negi has been quoted as saying that the 54 people whom he killed were never his personal enemies. They were simply people who had committed heinous crimes like rape, child torture and murder. He was being punished for his deeds. Mahendra Singh told TOI that he himself informed the family of the deceased after every encounter. If the family was afraid or shy of accepting it, he would stand up himself. Be it a Hindu or a Muslim, he would get everyone’s last rites performed with full rituals. He also used to go to Haridwar and perform Pind Daan. Even today, every year during Pitru Paksha, he performs Shraddha for each of those 54 souls. When he is asked why he does this, his answer is that if someone or the other had to do this work, then I do it.
Keep money in Hanuman Chalisa
Neem had met Karoli Baba in his childhood at Kaichi Dham near Nainital. Baba is considered to be the incarnation of Hanuman. From that day onwards he started carrying Hanuman Chalisa with him. Even today, he keeps all the money and I-cards in the pages of Chalisa. He does not keep a wallet. His purpose behind this was to give the message to the people that he neither takes bribe nor will he allow it to be taken. He even got the trouser pockets of his uniform cut so that no one would dare to give bribe.
Seniors also used to salute
Former UP DGP Devendra Singh Chauhan says that whenever communal tension increased in Saharanpur, we used to send Negi. He used to achieve reconciliation through talks. All communities believed in him. I have saluted him despite being below the rank. He was our go-to man. Dehradun-based psychiatrist Dr. Jaya Navani says that Negi Saheb had found his own way of making peace with his work. He used to lighten his inner burden through religion and faith. Every person has his own way.
