From Khattar’s confidant to being sent on leave amid row over IPS officer’s death: Who is Shatrujeet Kapur?

Kumar’s wife, IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, has lodged a formal complaint against Kapur and former Rohtak superintendent of police Narendra Bijarniya, blaming them for her husband’s death. In a note, Kumar had named nine serving police officers (including Kapur and Bijarniya), a retired IPS officer, and three retired IAS officers for forcing him to take the step.

Shatrujeet Kapur’s steady rise

Kapur was born in Jind on October 21, 1966. He pursued BTech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Kurukshetra, graduating in the late 1980s.

His career is marked by a steady rise through the ranks and a mix of district policing and policy-making roles. From the 1990s to 2000s, he held various field level postings across Haryana as district police chief in various districts. From 2002-2005, he served in the Central Bureau of Investigation, where he handled several high-profile national cases.

From 2014-2016, Kapur played a prominent role in state policing during Khattar’s tenure as chief minister. In April 2016, Khattar appointed him as additional director general of police (crime) and chief of the CID state intelligence unit, both considered to be key postings for a senior IPS officer.

From 2016-2023, Kapur held various administrative roles, including director of public sector entities like Haryana Power Generation Corporation and other power utilities. In 2023, he also served as director general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, overseeing major graft case investigations. During this time, several IAS officers came under scrutiny for alleged corruption.

It was during that tenure that he found himself at loggerheads with the state government’s bureaucrats. Since August 2023, Kapur continued as Haryana DGP. Although his two-year tenure ended in August 2023, he was asked to carry on.

Media-shy, result driven cop

Kapur is often described as media-shy but result-driven, known for his close ties with the current political establishment in Haryana and at the Centre. His critics see him as politically aligned; his supporters, as a tough and capable reformer.

In early 2024, he released a book titled Wired for Success, offering insights into organisational leadership from a policing lens.

As Kapur awaits the outcome of the ongoing inquiry into the IPS death case, his legacy hangs in the balance. Whether his tenure ends with vindication or censure, his imprint on Haryana’s policing narrative remains undeniable.

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