16 Gujarat Police Officers Receive Prestigious Republic Day Honors
The Union Home Ministry has announced Police Service Medals for 16 distinguished officers and personnel of the Gujarat Police Force, recognizing their exceptional contributions to law enforcement and public service. The awards will be formally conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of Republic Day, highlighting the nation's appreciation for their dedicated service.
Distinguished Service Honors for Senior IPS Officers
Among the recipients, two senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from the Gujarat cadre have been selected for the prestigious President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM). This honor represents one of the highest accolades in Indian policing, reserved for those demonstrating extraordinary leadership and service excellence.
The distinguished awardees include Nipuna Torawane, Additional Director General of Police, who currently serves as Additional Chief Secretary in the state home department, and Shailesh Raghuvanshi, Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence for the Ahmedabad region. Both officers were recognized for their extensive service records, exemplary leadership roles, and significant contributions to policing and internal security operations across Gujarat.
Meritorious Service Recognition Across Police Ranks
The remaining 14 awardees will receive the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM), acknowledging their sustained dedication to public duty across various specialized fields. This diverse group includes:
- Senior officers with decades of experience
- Middle-ranking officials demonstrating consistent performance
- Personnel from operational ranks showing exceptional commitment
This broad representation reflects the comprehensive nature of police work, recognizing contributions at both supervisory and ground operational levels throughout the state.
Wide-Ranging Contributions from Multiple Police Units
The MSM recipients come from an impressive array of Gujarat Police units, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of modern policing. Their service spans numerous critical areas including:
- Intelligence gathering and analysis
- Crime prevention and investigation
- Prison administration and reform
- Coastal security and surveillance
- Law and order maintenance
These officers represent specialized units such as the intelligence wing, State Monitoring Cell, prisons department, motor transport wing, coastal security forces, State Reserve Police Force, and city police departments in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot.
Additional Distinguished Service Recognition
In a separate but related announcement, V Chandrasekhar, a 2000 batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer currently serving as Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was also named among the recipients of the President's Medal for Distinguished Service. Chandrasekhar has supervised several high-profile cases during his career, including the sensitive RG Kar Medical College rape and murder investigation, demonstrating his commitment to complex criminal investigations.
The Republic Day honors serve as a testament to the dedication and professionalism of Gujarat's police force, recognizing individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to the community and the nation. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight the collective commitment of Gujarat Police to maintaining law, order, and security across the state.
