Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025: Pradeep Sharma is a famous police officer from India. Many people know him as the “encounter specialist” of Mumbai Police. He was born on 1 May 1961 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. He worked in the Maharashtra Police for more than 35 years. His story is full of action, bravery, and also many controversies.
Early Life and Family
Pradeep Sharma was born in a Brahmin family in Agra. His father, Rameshwar Prasad Sharma, was a professor of English in Dhule, Maharashtra. Pradeep’s family moved to Dhule when he was very young. He finished his school and college studies in Dhule. He completed his M.Sc. degree from a local college.
Pradeep is married to Swikriti Sharma. They have two daughters, Niketa and Ankita. The family lives in Mumbai.
Pradeep Sharma IAS Age, Height, Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Birth Place, Wife, Children, Family
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Pradeep Sharma |
| Date of Birth | 1 May 1961 |
| Place of Birth | Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Family Background | Brahmin family; father was an English professor in Dhule, Maharashtra |
| Education | Completed schooling and MSc in Dhule, Maharashtra |
| Spouse | Swikriti Sharma |
| Children | Niketa and Ankita (daughters) |
| Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Police Service | Maharashtra Police (1983–2019) |
| First Posting | Mahim Police Station, Mumbai |
| Career Highlights | - Known as "Encounter Specialist" |
| - Involved in over 300 police encounters, credited with 312 criminal deaths | |
| - Arrested Iqbal Kaskar, Dawood Ibrahim's brother | |
| Major Cases | Eliminated gangsters like Vinod Matkar, Sadiq Kalia, and LeT terrorists |
| - Led operations against Mumbai underworld, including Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, Arun Gawli | |
| Suspensions & Trials | - Suspended and dismissed in 2008 for alleged criminal links; reinstated in 2009 after acquittal |
| - Arrested in 2010 for Lakhan Bhaiya fake encounter; acquitted in 2013, but later sentenced to life | |
| - Arrested by NIA in 2021 in Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case | |
| Political Career | Joined Shiv Sena in September 2019; contested Nalasopara assembly seat, lost by 43,729 votes |
| Other Ventures | Founded Urban Hawk Security Services after acquittal; managed by his daughters |
| Nickname | "Bombay's Dirty Harry" |
| Notable Associates | Daya Nayak (protégé), Sachin Vaze (mentee) |
| Legacy | Feared and famous for tackling Mumbai underworld, but career marked by controversy and legal battles |
Joining the Police
Pradeep Sharma joined the Maharashtra Police in 1983 as a sub-inspector. His first posting was at Mahim police station in Mumbai. Later, he worked in the special branch at Juhu. He slowly rose to higher ranks because of his hard work and bravery. He became a senior inspector in the Crime Intelligence Unit of Mumbai Police.
The Encounter Specialist
Pradeep Sharma became famous as an encounter specialist. An encounter is when the police shoot criminals who try to escape or attack. Sharma was involved in more than 300 such encounters. Out of these, he led 113 encounters himself. He fought against many dangerous criminals, gangsters, and terrorists. He even arrested Iqbal Kaskar, the brother of the global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, for extortion.
People in Mumbai started calling him “Bombay’s Dirty Harry” because he was tough on crime. He was a hero to some people, but others criticized his methods.
Big Cases and Controversies
Pradeep Sharma’s career was full of big cases and controversies.
In 2008, he was suspended from the police. There was a recording of him talking to members of Dawood Ibrahim’s gang. The police said he was helping criminals. Pradeep said he was innocent and that the Chhota Rajan gang tried to frame him. In 2009, the court found him not guilty, and he returned to the police.
In 2010, he was arrested again. This time, it was for the fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta, also called Lakhan Bhaiya. Sharma spent four years in jail, but in 2013, the court released him because there was not enough evidence. Other police officers in the case got life imprisonment.
On 19 March 2024, the Bombay High Court gave him a life sentence in the Lakhan Bhaiya fake encounter case.
In June 2021, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested him for his role in the Antilia bomb scare case. The NIA raided his house and took away computers and other things. Four other police officers were also arrested in this case.
Political Career
After retiring from the police in July 2019, Pradeep Sharma joined the Shiv Sena party in September 2019. He contested the Maharashtra assembly elections from the Nalasopara seat. But he lost the election by more than 43,000 votes.
Personal Life and Wealth
Pradeep Sharma is tall, about 6 feet. He likes to keep his personal life private. In 2019, his net worth was about Rs. 36 crores. He owns land, houses, and has money in the bank. He also has loans and some vehicles.
Interesting Facts
Pradeep Sharma was the head of the Anti-Extortion Cell before he retired.
In 2018, on Raksha Bandhan, about 12,000 women tied rakhi to him to show respect.
Many media houses called him “Bombay’s Dirty Harry” because of his tough image.
He was a mentor to another famous police officer, Sachin Vaze.
A Bollywood film, “Rege,” was made in 2014. The main character was based on Pradeep Sharma.
Legacy
Pradeep Sharma’s life is full of ups and downs. He was brave and fought many criminals. But he was also in the news for wrong reasons. Some people see him as a hero, while others blame him for using too much force. His story shows the difficult life of police officers in big cities like Mumbai.
Pradeep Sharma is still a well-known name in India. His work, both good and bad, will be remembered for a long time.