Dinkar Gupta is a 1987-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Punjab cadre, known for his intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations in Punjab. He is a former Director General of Police (DGP), Government of Punjab. On 23 June 2022, he was appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), an anti-terrorism investigation agency formed after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Dinkar Gupta was born on Thursday, 12 March 1964 (age 58 years; as in 2022) in Chandigarh. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He has a master’s degree in police administration.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 5″
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: brown
Dinkar Gupta with Captain Amarinder Singh
Family
parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
wife and children
Dinkar Gupta married Vini Mahajan in September 1989. Vini Mahajan is a 1987 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Punjab cadre. As of 2022, Vini serves as the Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Reportedly, she is the first woman Chief Secretary of the state of Punjab. The couple has two children, a son named Aziz Gupta and a daughter named Namya Mahajan. Aziz Gupta is the founder of Rocket Learning, a non-profit organization.
Dinkar Gupta with his wife Vini Mahajan
Dinkar Gupta with his wife and children
other relatives
Dinkar’s father-in-law Bibi Mahajan was an IAS officer of Punjab cadre.
livelihood
Dinkar Gupta started his career as an IPS officer in 1987. He served as the Chief of Police (SSP) of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts for seven years, i.e. from January 1992 to January 1999. After this he worked as a sub-inspector. Till 2004, he was Police General (DIG) of Jalandhar and Ludhiana Range. Meanwhile, he also served as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Counter-Intelligence, Punjab. Serving as DIG Counter-Intelligence, Dinkar was involved in the direct supervision of the Punjab State Intelligence Wing, the State Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and the Organized Crime Control Unit (OCCU).
Dinkar Gupta during press conference
He had an eight-year tenure on central deputation (from June 2004 to July 2012) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), during which he held several sensitive assignments. He has also headed the Dignitary Security Division of the Home Ministry which looks after the security of VVIPs. In 2012, Dinkar was appointed as the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Law and Order and Security. He remained in this post till 2015. He also served as ADGP Traffic from 2013 to 2014 and ADGP Provision and Modernization from 2014 to 2015. Subsequently, he served as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Administration and Community Policing since 2015. 2017.
Dinkar Gupta during an award distribution ceremony
In February 2019, Gupta was appointed as the Director General of Punjab Police; He removed many IPS officers of Punjab to become DGP. Dinkar was chosen by Captain Amarinder Singh. Serving the state of Punjab during the peak of militancy, Dinkar led technology-based operations and busted more than 50 terror modules in Punjab; Apparently, he was the first to highlight the threat posed by drones from across the border. Many prominent gangsters were eliminated during his tenure as Punjab Police Chief.
Dinkar Gupta appointed Director General of Punjab
He served in the post for about two years and seven months and was removed from the post in 2021 after Charanjit Singh Channi replaced Captain (retd) Amarinder Singh as the Chief Minister of Punjab. After his removal from the post of DGP, he was posted as Chairman of Punjab Police Housing Corporation, which was not such an active post. After this Gupta sought permission for central deputation. He remained in the proposal list for central deputation for about a year and then on 23 June 2022, he was appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Dinkar Gupta’s appointment letter
He is the first officer from Punjab to become the chief of NIA. Dinkar replaces CRPF Director General Kuldeep Singh, who had taken additional charge as Director General of NIA after the retirement of former NIA chief YC Modi on May 31, 2021. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet order read that Dinkar will hold the post till March 31, 2024. On the date of his superannuation, or till further orders, whichever is earlier. The appointment letter issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) reads,
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for appointment of Shri Dinkar Gupta, IPS (PB: 87) in Level-17 of the post of Director General, National Investigation Agency up to 31.03.2020. 2024 i.e. his retirement date or till further orders, whichever is earlier.”
controversies
Criticized for his remarks on Kartarpur Corridor
Dinkar Gupta came into controversy after making derogatory remarks about the Kartarpur Corridor at an event organized by a national daily in February 2022. He said,
Kartarpur offers a possibility that you send someone in the morning as an ordinary person and by the evening he actually comes back as a trained terrorist. You will be there for six hours, you can be taken to the firing range, you can be taught how to make IEDs.”
His remarks drew sharp reactions from Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party, who demanded Dinkar’s dismissal. While talking to the media, seeking clarification from Gupta, senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia said,
If the clarification is not issued, the party will stop the proceedings of the budget session of the Assembly on February 24.
His comments also drew the ire of Akal Takht chief priest Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh, who while speaking to the media said,
If paying obeisance at our religious places makes us terrorists, then we are ready to become terrorists.
Gupta later clarified his remarks, saying that his statement was entirely related to India’s security and had no reference to any religion or community. He said,
I merely warn of the clear possibility of misuse by elements notorious for their hostility towards India and their (Pakistan’s) attempt to exploit every opportunity, even the most sacred, to disturb peace and communal harmony. Has given.
He further said that in November 2019, when the first pilgrim crossed the border of Dera Baba Nanak to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib, he was personally present at the site. They said,
I am happy to see the opening of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, which has fulfilled the decades-old aspirations of millions of pilgrims. I myself believe in Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his divine teachings. His daily Ardaas (a Sikh prayer) for ‘open darshan-deedar’ of the religious places left in Pakistan after partition was finally answered. It was even more heartening that it coincided with the 550th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”
corona virus controversy
In March 2020, it was speculated that Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta’s official residence was under quarantine and despite being in quarantine, he was moving freely in the state. Dinkar received public criticism for his action. However, Raveen Thukral, media advisor to the then Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, later issued a clarification. His statement read,
DGP Dinkar Gupta was not home quarantined at any time, hence there is no question of his quarantine ending today. His daughter had returned from abroad on the morning of 16 March. She did not have any symptoms, but as per protocol she remained strictly quarantined at home. The 14 day period ended yesterday morning and he has no symptoms. It is clarified that all home quarantine protocols were strictly followed during the quarantine period of Mr. Gupta’s daughter.’
Awards and Honors
- In June 1992, the President of India awarded him the Police Medal for Gallantry for displaying extraordinary courage, conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as an ASP during an encounter with terrorists in April 1992. He is one of the youngest police officers. Has received gallantry medal.
- In June 1994, he was awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry by the President of India for the second time for his distinguished service as SSP Hoshiarpur.
- He has also received Police Medal for his meritorious service in Punjab Police.
- On 15 August 2010, Gupta was awarded the President’s Police Medal by the Prime Minister of India for his distinguished service.
salary/income
As Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Dinkar Gupta received a salary of Rs. Gets a salary of Rs. 2,25,000 per month (till 2022).
Dinkar Gupta’s appointment letter
Facts/General Knowledge
- During Captain Amarinder Singh’s tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Dinkar Gupta along with his wife Vini Mahajan had earned the nickname of being a ‘power couple’. While Vini served as the state’s Chief Secretary, Dinkar was appointed as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, the highest administrative and police post in the state.
- In 1996, Dinkar represented India at a seminar on international terrorism, organized by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
- In 1999, Dinkar was awarded the British Chevening Gurukul Scholarship by the British Council at the London School of Economics, London.
- In 2000–2001, Dinkar was empaneled as Executive-in-Residence at the School of International Service, American University, Washington DC, USA.
- In January 2001, American University invited Gupta to design and teach a course for graduate students titled Governments Under Siege: Understanding Terrorism and Terrorists.
- Dinkar has also been a visiting professor at George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn