My relation with politicians was always uneasy: Ex-DGP Singh

“After my service was over, I was haunted by the thought that in spite of following my conscience and doing the right thing through my career, I was shunted around and humiliated. That eventually led me to go through service commission papers and I decided to approach the judiciary,” added Singh whose PIL before the Supreme Court led to the 2006 landmark verdict on police reforms that ordered structural changes in the force.

Singh was in the city for the launch of his book Unforgettable Chapters: Memoirs of a Top Cop in which he has narrated episodes from his over three-decade-long career and pursuing police reforms post retirement.

Former Supreme Court Justice BN Shrikrishna, who launched the book, said, “A few years back, I was called to the police academy in Hyderabad where IPS officers are trained. Youngsters there were enthusiastic about improving the state of the country through the police service. I asked them what happens that within 10 years of joining the force that they start toeing the line of political bosses. I told them that they take an oath and that career prospects should never come above the constitution.”

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner  Julio Ribeiro said that police should follow the Constitution and that these days senior officers were only following what political bosses were saying.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Satish Sahney said that the book was important to ensure that the youngsters coming up do not get completely cynical about policing and remain optimistic looking at Singh’s journey.

The event was also attended by Vappala Balachandran, former special secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, former police officer MN Singh and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar among others.