He thinks big and takes turns at his short time goals building infrastructure for preventive detection while he monitors effective detection of crimes in his jurisdiction. Known as ‘Dabangg’ by his colleagues, Uday Raghunath Palande, a 1985 batch police officer was honoured with a DG Police Insignia award this year.
You will be more familiar with a dialogue of the hit movie ‘AbTak Chappan’ but now be ready to meet a cop who hopes to hit 300 arrests and replace the dialogue ‘AbTak Teenso’. Yes you heard it right. The above figures are the number of arrests conduct by a police officer attached to Thane City.
No Bollywood flick could fetch such energy for being a cop than yesteryear films like Zanjeer or Singham which instilled a daredevil cop’s image in this officer’s mindset right from an early age. Meet Thane’s Super Cop- 50 year old Uday Raghunath Palande, who single-handedly arrested and is responsible for putting 225 criminals behind bars within a short span of five years. For his brave persona, his colleagues have given him the moniker Dabangg. Palande was recently felicitated with the Director General of Police Insignia award at the hands of Thane Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde.
Dabangg Palande
Uday Palande hails from Khed, Ratnagiri but later shifted to Pune. His father was an army captain with the Bombay Sappers. Like every father, Palande hoped that his son would grow up and continue the tradition of serving in the army. But destiny had something else in store for him. While interacting with a newspaper, Palande had mentioned that his father was his inspiration. Because of his father, he started boxing- a popular sport in military circles. It was this hobby that gave him direct entry into the police force on April 2,1985 when he was just 18 years old.
Interestingly, Palande spent a greater part of his 31year career in fairly routine postings, doing administrative and beat duties at police stations, or carrying out court service by escorting under trial offenders to court. There was no glamorous crime fighting in any of these postings, but Palande still recognised an opportunity. He was a man of knowledge. He utilized this period by studying history sheeters and their pattern of robbery. He also cultivated an extensive network among the cops and lawyers who helped him in reaching this mark. “During that period, I would visit the court on a daily basis and build contacts with criminals, advocates, police officers and other people. I got to know about things like who the history sheeters were, and wanted criminals, said the 50-year old.
Turning Point
After spending almost two decades patrolling and beat duties, Palande got his breakthrough when he was transferred to the Ulhasnagar Police Crime Branch in 2011. His source and contact ability was later appreciated by the people when he solved a perfect murder case which was registered by Mumbra Police as an accidental death. It was Palande who figured out that it was a murder after a source tipped him off.
Palande similarly cracked other cases, using his wit and innumerable sources, and many of these were serious crimes such as murder or major robberies. But solving many crimes comes at a cost.
“My wife and kids support me a lot, but they also get angry and depressed because I am rarely there for family occasions. My erratic work hours limits my family time. Even if my shift is over, I get back to work the moment I get a call from an informant,” he said.
In 5 years, Palande has achieved the following
Crime Detection 108
Murders 8
Chain Snatching Arrests 45
Major House Break-ins 40
Motor Vehicle Thefts 6
Temple Robberies 2
Cheating Cases 4
Total Major Cases 101
Achievements
225 Number of arrests made by Palande since he joined the Ulhasnagar Crime Branch in 2011
393 Number of cash rewards Palande has received from thePolice Department for his performance
21 Number of certificates he has received in appreciation for his work
He was appreciated by The Thane City Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh for his skills He was so impressed that he requested him to train and help the newly- joined police officers in the Commisionerate as well. In the past three months, Palande has held training sessions across 34 police stations, with even senior police inspectors turning up to learn tips from him.
“As a constable, I am training even officers; can there be a greater achievement? All the cops turn up for the lectures to learn how to build contacts and use their network to trace the accused. The policemen get excited after the sesessions and many even ask for help in solving cases,” said Palande.
Palande is best known for his crime detection abilities. “We are glad to work under him as we can learn leadership qualities from him. We congratulate him on his many successes,” said a police official attached to Thane City Police Station.
The officers had received the medals on occasion of Maharashtra Day on May 1, 2016. The DG Insignia is awarded to policemen who have been with the Force for more than 15 years with a clean record as well as for outstanding contribution to the force.
Top Arrests:
Cracking a Shut Case Open
In 2011, Nivruti Patil nearly got away with the murder of his cousin brother. The Mumbra Police registered an accidental case after the body was found in a lake. It was Palande who figured out that it was a murder. It turned out the accused killed his cousin brother after he discovered he was having an affair with his cousin sister (a widow). The accused took the victim for fishing, murdered him and then dumped the body in the lake to mislead cops. “Through my sources, I found out that it was a murder. I laid a trap for the suspect and arrested him after he confessed to the crime,” said Palande.
31-year Wanted Robber Nabbed
Nandasautaram Jadhav– a notorious robber– was declared a wanted man in 1979 but no one had managed to nab him till 2012. My sources told me he was holed up in Bhiwandi, so I waited outside his house for five days and finally arrested him. I did not even tell my family where I was going to be for those few days,” said Palande.
– by Mohit Naik
