The Pradeep Sharma Story: 'Criminal In Uniform', Who Killed 112 Gangsters, Gets Jail For Life

New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court convicted and sentenced former policeman and controversial encounter specialist, Pradeep Sharma, to life imprisonment. Moreover, the court also upheld the conviction of 13 other accused in the 2006 fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta. Allegedly, Gupta is a close aide of gangster Chhota Rajan.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse stated that the "prosecution has proven that Gupta was killed by the police, and the same was made to look like a genuine encounter". In its judgment, the bench emphasized that the "protectors/guardians of law cannot be permitted to act as criminals in uniform and if this is permitted then it would lead to anarchy". 

The court noted that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt the abduction, wrongful confinement, and killing of Gupta in a fake encounter with "credible, cogent, and legally admissible evidence".

Who Is Pradeep Sharma? 

Pradeep Sharma garnered attention during his tenure as a senior inspector in the Crime Intelligence Unit, Andheri. He shot to fame after the 1999 killing of feared gangster Vinod Matkar. Throughout his career, Sharma took down numerous prominent gangsters, including Vinod Matkar, Parvez Siddiqui, Rafiq Dabbawala, Sadik Kalia, and three members affiliated with LeT. Sharma claims that in his 25 years of service, he has killed 112 criminals. Despite serving four years in jail, Sharma was acquitted in 2013. Reinstated in 2017, he assumed leadership of the Thane Police's Anti-Extortion Cell. 

Early Life 

Pradeep Sharma emerges from the esteemed 1983 cadre of police officers, alongside notable figures like Vijay Salaskar, Praful Bhosle, Ravindra Angre, and Vinayak Saude, renowned for their rigorous pursuit of Mumbai's underworld. Originating from a humble village in Dhulia, Maharashtra, his father Rameshwar Sharma served as a school principal. Transitioning to Mumbai, Sharma successfully cleared the MPSC exams to join the city's police force as a sub-inspector.

A Shot At Politics 

Sharma, however, resigned in July 2019 to join the undivided Shiv Sena. Sharma contested the assembly elections from Nalasopara in Mumbai in 2019 but faced defeat.

Pradeep Sharma's Downfall

However, in 2021, he faced a second arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Antilia explosives scare and the Mansukh Hiran murder case. Allegedly responsible for the demise of 112 gangsters during his 25-year tenure as a Maharashtra police officer from the 1983 batch, Sharma's legacy remains marked by controversy and intrigue.

Lakhan Bhaiya Encounter 

On November 11, 2006, a police team picked up Gupta alias Lakkhan Bhaiya, from Vashi on the suspicion that he was a member of the Rajan gang. Gupta was picked up along with his friend Anil Bheda. Sharma killed Gupta in a 'fake' encounter near Nana Nani Park in suburban Versova the same evening.