Pradip Kumar, an officer from the Andheri RPF, is the only RPF cop chosen for this year’s Presidential Award; he has served the force since 1990
After 26 years of service, a Railway Protection Force (RPF) officer was honoured with the President’s Award from among 11,400 of his colleagues. Pradeep Kumar, from the Andheri RPF, joined the force as a constable in 1990 and has since solved 550 cases. Kumar also busted an e-ticket racket, for which he won several medals.
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Pradip Kumar (centre) at Andheri station. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Kumar has been the Assistant Sub Inspector of RPF Andheri since 2013. A constable since 1990 and head constable since 1999, Kumar has been committed to his job and is known for his hard work. He is also remembered for his rescue work during the 2005 floods and the 2006 serial train blasts. “We all know Kumar as a hardworking person and he has never interfered in anyone else’s work. He has also been presented with many awards from senior officers for his excellent work,” said a senior official from the Western Railway RPF.
Dedicated, disciplined
Anand Vijay Jha, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, WR, said, “He is a dedicated, honest and disciplined worker. His entire service is accident free and he has never been punished by any officers.” Several nominations for the award had also been sent from the Government Railway Police (GRP) but unfortunately, none were selected. “We are elated that the services of such a committed subordinate officer have been recognised by the honourable President of India,” Jha added.
Kumar has an impressive track record. In the year 2014-15, he solved nearly 527 cases. He was also an active member of the crime detection team, in which he cracked several criminal cases.
Kumar’s most famous case was one where he detected 12 main cases of gangs who would steal cable wires that are used for ensuring the punctuality of trains. Kumar has also seized 419 unauthorised e-ticketing machines and arrested 11 unauthorised ticket agents.