Himanshu Shukla, a 2005 batch IPS (Indian Police Service) officer currently posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in the Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) quit his job as an engineer in a private company to test his skills at the civil services examination. It took two attempts, but he cracked the civil services exam, securing the 54th rank. All set to become an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer, Shukla chose to become an IPS officer.
Shukla, who has brought ATS into the limelight several times by reining in many terror accused and cracking shocking and heinous crimes credits his success and dedication to his family.
“There was no pressure on me to become an IAS officer. Being a young man, fascinated by the uniform, guns, horses is what decided it for me. And it turned out to be a good decision.”
Shukla remembers how due to his father’s job as a manager in Coal India and postings mostly in remote areas, did not let him have exposure to many things. “It was only after I did my BTech in electronics communication and got a job that I discovered new avenues and UPSC was one of them,” he adds.
What would have Shukla become if not an IPS officer? Pat comes the reply – “After 17 years of hardcore service in the police force, I cannot think of becoming anything else.”
However, he has no reluctance in saying that he would have loved to join a research institute and become a scientist or a professor. “But now policing is in my blood and I cannot think of any other profession.”
While Shukla talks of his team’s success and cases that made his career like the murder case of Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari, the serial killer who created havoc in Gandhinagar and cracking the serial blasts of July 2008 in Ahmedabad, among other, his one regret remains the unsolved case of an 11-year-old girl, Vishwa, who went missing in 2011.
Shukla candidly admits that when he comes across incidents wherein children are the victims or the other way around wherein minors are involved in heinous crimes, he gets disturbed. “However, Gujarat is safe. I give all the credit to Gujaratis for creating a society in which a girl can venture out at night without any fear, especially during Navratri” he adds.
Talking about his job, Shukla says that their job is all about few minutes of glory and is double-edged. He goes on to say that a single mistake can be a blot on their whole career. “For example, a custodial death or unknowingly holding some person responsible for a heinous crime. In the heat of the moment, something wrong can happen. I am also worried about my team when they go to distant places to nab criminals. If a team member is injured or if there is some casualty, you feel guilty,” Shukla adds.
On the lighter side, when asked about his opinion on the difference between a “reel” life and a “real” life of a cop, he quickly reacts. “Patal Lok. Though I am not talking about the narrative of the series, the characters of cops portrayed in the film were well researched,” Shukla says.
When it comes to spending time, Shukla says that while he was posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Ahmedabad for six years he spent most of the time in office. “However, in the ATS I do get some time. I play games like badminton and squash and even take my son with me to play,” he adds.
Last but not least, Shukla does not forget to give complete credit to his team. He says: “A small clue brought by his subordinate can result in a big detection. You need to keep your team comfortable and give complete credit to them when it comes to working.”
Himanshu sir is my inspiration for me . Jay hind.