Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 August 2025
Director General of Police (DGP), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, IPS, has been conferred with the prestigious President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the honour on the eve of Independence Day 2025.
An officer of the AGMUT cadre (1997 batch), Mr. HGS Dhaliwal has earned an outstanding reputation throughout his career for operational acumen, field policing expertise, and his work in counter-terrorism and organised crime. Known for his leadership, professionalism, and unwavering dedication, he is also among the rare police officers to have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry.
Notable Contributions and Career Highlights
• Led investigations in several high-profile murder cases, including those of Soumya Vishwanathan, Radhika Tanwar, and Jigisha Ghosh, maintaining contact with victims’ families until final convictions—a gesture that earned rare public appreciation for the Delhi Police.
• Directed the probe into the Delhi Serial Blasts, leading to the arrest of three Indian Mujahideen members.
• Supervised and participated in major encounters, including the neutralisation of the Bikers Gang and the Satte Gang at Green Park Market—where South District Police had to use AK-47 rifles in a crowded area to stop four armed criminals.
• As Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), spearheaded the investigation into the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, leading to the recovery of Under-Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs) and grenades.
• Oversaw India’s first arrest of a fugitive from Mexico—Deepak Boxer—in coordination with the FBI.
• Led operations resulting in the arrest of terrorists linked to LeT, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, and ISKP, along with multiple transnational operations with the CBI, Interpol, and FBI to apprehend white-collar criminals in New York, Toronto, and Delhi.
• Supervised the arrest of Rajwinder Singh, one of Australia’s most wanted fugitives, carrying a reward of 1 million AUD, in connection with the Toyah Cordingley murder case.
• Personally handled the tense communal situation following the Batla House encounter, preventing escalation through on-ground presence in hostile conditions.
• Played a pivotal role in ensuring law and order during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, particularly at key venues such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the opening and closing ceremonies.
• During his posting in Arunachal Pradesh (2011–13), led operations neutralising insurgent elements from UPDF, NSCN-IM, and NSCN-K factions.
• Managed security for major heads of state during the G20 Summit as Special CP (Special Cell).
• As DGP of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, personally led the investigation into the largest methamphetamine seizure in the territory’s history, in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard.
Under his leadership, the Andaman & Nicobar Police has undergone significant reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency, public safety, and inter-agency coordination.
In recognition of his exemplary service and remarkable contributions to policing, Mr. HGS Dhaliwal has now been honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service—a fitting tribute to a career defined by courage, innovation, and commitment to justice. (Story Based on PR)
