Revealing the Mysterious Pradeep Sharma: Former Mumbai Police Officer and Expert in Encounters

Pradeep Sharma, a former Mumbai Police encounter specialist, has attracted both curiosity and horror due to his purported involvement in killing gangsters. Though he has a contentious reputation, recent events have clouded his legacy and raised concerns about his prior deeds and legal troubles.

Pradeep Sharma's Rise

Originating from the prestigious Mumbai Police officer class of 1983, Pradeep Sharma became a powerful presence in the city's legal system. Along with well-known colleagues like Praful Bhosle and Vijay Salaskar, Sharma gained notoriety for his unrelenting pursuit of mafia personalities, including infamous characters like Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan.

Remarkable Encounters

Sharma's career as an encounter specialist has been highlighted by multiple high-profile gangster kills. He oversaw a group that shot and killed Vinod Matkar in 1999; Matkar was Chhota Rajan's assistant and the man assigned to kill Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan. Sharma participated in the murder of D-Company mobster Sadiq Kalia in Dadar, Mumbai, the same year.

Counteroffensive Measures

Three alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists were killed by Pradeep Sharma's squad in 2003 in the Goregaon neighbourhood of Mumbai, garnering national attention. Abu Sultan and Abu Anwar, two citizens of Pakistan, were among them, suggesting that Sharma was involved in counterterrorism operations outside of his typical scope of fighting organized crime.

Controversial Dismissal and Reinstatement

Controversies have persisted throughout Sharma's career; in August 2008, he was dismissed from the Indian Army due to suspected ties to the mafia. Nonetheless, he was brought back into the police service in May 2009 as a result of directives from the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, indicating a difficult but persevering journey.

Court Cases and Verdicts

When Pradeep Sharma was detained in 2010 on suspicion of being involved in the 2006 encounter that was staged with Chhota Rajan gang member Ramnarayan Gupta, his career took a negative turn. After spending four years in prison, Sharma was exonerated in 2013, but he later encountered fresh legal issues.

Political Deployment and Quitting

Unexpectedly, Pradeep Sharma entered politics in 2019, joining the Shiv Sena and running from Nalasopara, Mumbai, in the assembly elections. His electoral failure, however, put an end to his political ambitions, and he resigned from the Thane Police's Anti-Extortion Cell.

Legal Difficulties Reappear

When Pradeep Sharma was detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2021 in relation to the Antilia explosives scare and Mansukh Hiran's murder, his problems reappeared. These revelations clarify Sharma's continuous involvement in legal disputes and the ongoing investigation into his previous deeds.

The transition of Pradeep Sharma from a highly regarded encounter specialist to a divisive figure mired in legal disputes highlights the intricate relationship between Indian politics and law enforcement. Although Sharma has received praise and condemnation for his earlier actions, his current legal issues serve as a warning about the dangers of abusing power and authority. Pradeep Sharma is still an intriguing and mysterious person in the annals of Mumbai's underworld history as his narrative is told.

-Nithika