Muzaffarnagar. Courage, quick decision-making and unwavering dedication to duty are the hallmarks of a distinguished police officer.
Inspector Dinesh Chandra Baghel was honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry by the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow on the occasion of Independence Day. The prestigious honour was conferred in recognition of his courage and outstanding service during his police career. His receiving the President’s Gallantry Medal is a matter of pride not only for him but also for the Muzaffarnagar Police and the entire district.
During his police service, Dinesh Chandra Baghel has faced several challenging situations in which he stepped forward with his team and took responsibility. One of the most significant chapters of his career is associated with a daring police operation against notorious criminal Chand alias Kala in Meerut. In 2020, Chand alias Kala had become a major challenge for the police. Several serious criminal cases had been registered against him, and he had remained absconding for a long time.
On the night of January 25–26, 2020, police surrounded Chand alias Kala in Meerut and launched an operation against him. The operation was conducted under the leadership of then Meerut SSP Ajay Kumar Sahni. Inspector Dinesh Chandra Baghel, who was serving at the time as the Station House Officer of TP Nagar Police Station, was also part of the police team.
During the encounter, an exchange of fire took place between the police and the criminal, in which notorious criminal Chand alias Kala was killed. The operation brought an end to the activities of a major criminal who had been active across Meerut and neighbouring districts. According to police records and reports available at the time, Chand alias Kala was an inter-district criminal with around three dozen criminal cases registered against him, including robbery, theft and other serious offences. His name had also surfaced in incidents involving robberies at banks, traders’ establishments, jewellery outlets and petrol pumps. Reports had indicated that a reward had also been announced for information leading to his arrest at the Meerut Zone and Saharanpur Range levels.
The operation was considered highly challenging for the police because of the criminal’s activities and the possibility that he was armed. The police team had to act with extreme caution while confronting the armed criminal. During the encounter, the members of the police team took position without worrying about their own safety. The policemen associated with the operation were subsequently recognised for their bravery. Available reports also mention the participation of then TP Nagar SHO Dinesh Chandra Baghel in the operation.
After serving in Meerut, Dinesh Chandra Baghel took on important responsibilities in various police stations of Muzaffarnagar district. During his postings in areas including Mirapur, New Mandi and Khatauli, he remained actively involved in action against criminals, the arrest of wanted accused and maintaining law and order. During his tenure in Mirapur, police solved several theft cases, arrested the accused and recovered stolen property. Police action was also taken against illegal weapons and other criminal activities.
As Incharge of Khatauli Police Station, Dinesh Chandra Baghel maintained a firm approach towards criminals. Under his leadership, police teams carried out operations leading to the arrest of wanted criminals, recovery of illegal weapons and ammunition, and action in encounter cases. In several cases, weapons, cartridges and stolen property were recovered from arrested accused. These actions helped maintain an active police presence in the area and strengthen efforts to control crime.
His working style has combined a firm approach towards criminals with a focus on maintaining law and order and strengthening public confidence in the police. His experience of handling challenging responsibilities in different areas is clearly reflected in his style of functioning. He has earned a reputation within the police department as an officer who is willing to take decisions at the spot in difficult circumstances and lead his team in carrying out challenging operations.
The President’s Police Medal for Gallantry is among the significant honours awarded in the police service. It recognises exceptional courage and bravery displayed by police personnel while performing their duties. Receiving the honour from the Director General of Police in Lucknow on Independence Day marks an important achievement in Dinesh Chandra Baghel’s police career.
The honour is particularly significant at a time when the police face constantly evolving methods of crime and new challenges in maintaining law and order. Dinesh Chandra Baghel’s service journey reflects the courage, responsibility and willingness to take risks that come with wearing the police uniform. From the operation against Chand alias Kala to crime-control operations in different police station areas, his active role reflects his commitment to police service.
