Exclusive: In conversation with the Cop who got Dawood Ibrahim on his knees

“Kya saheb, aap retire hone ja rahe ho, ab toh peecha chhod do (You are about to retire Sir, at least stop chasing me now)”

When the pleading caller is allegedly India’s most wanted criminal Dawood Ibrahim, you know you’re talking to a tough cop. The name’s Neeraj Kumar, former Delhi Police Commissioner who supervised the the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing probe.

‘Dial D for Don’, Kumar’s book is about the 11 top investigations during his nine-year-long stint in the CBI. Offering valuable insights into some of the most high-profile CBI missions, the book offers an intimate glance into the most thrilling crime stories of our times. The most riveting among these are Kumar’s conversations with Dawood when he was probing the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

BI India chats up with this restrained 1976 batch retired IPS officer who has earned enough bragging rights from his stellar record and is looking forward to being a badass grandpa to two-year-old grand-daughter Aishwarya.

When did you decide to write this book?
There was always an innate desire to tell these stories and how we (the CBI) work. The CBI works on a ‘need to know basis’. That means many of my colleagues from other departments have no idea of the cases I’ve undertaken.

Do you think you’ll upset people with your tell-all narrative?
All these cases have been tried and the offenders convicted. Some have even undergone the sentence. However, if anybody is upset, good luck to them! *laughs*

The story of Aftab Ansari (Kolkata American Cultural Centre attack case) reeks of the way ISIS was formed. Do you think our jails are a breeding ground for terrorists?
They can become if one doesn’t segregate hardcore criminals and Jihadis from street thugs and petty offenders. It happens more often in our jails as we’re not sensitive to the idea. However, as the former DIG of Delhi I feel it can be done, and it should be done.

There seems to be an ‘all crimes lead to Dawood’ discourse in the Indian media. What’s your take on that?
Dawood once very famously said he’s lucky to have not been blamed for the 1993 Latur earthquake. We cannot always direct every conceivable criminal act to Dawood. However, in cases like the spot-fixing scandal, once the link has been established, discussions should be entertained.

The public outrage after Chota Rajan’s arrest was that we should get Dawood as well. What might be going wrong?
It’s very simple. If Rajan would have been in Pakistan, India would never have got him. He (Dawood) has perpetrated violence on behalf of the ISI. If the Government of Pakistan gives him up, it would severely erode ISI’s image among its agents posted in India.

Your love for the CBI has shined through in your book. What according to you are the biggest challenges faced by the CBI today?
I’ve left the CBI in 2002. It’s been 13 years now. However, the primary challenges remain the same. The CBI is an understaffed organization with too much on its plate. During the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, many police officers from the Southern states had to be taken off-duty to serve in the CBI.

Why is the country’s premier Investigation Bureau understaffed?
The primary reason is that not many officers from the local police want to leave their hometowns to join the CBI. A CBI officer may not enjoy the same power and position that one does in the local police.

The 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case trial went on for twelve years. Eleven accused died while the trial was on. Can the CBI do anything to help fast-track such cases?
A minuscule part of the problem is the slow processes of the CBI. In a police investigation there are burdening litigations surrounding deadlines for charge-sheet filing, and so on. However, the main problem is the delay caused by the Court of Law. There are no deadlines for the courts. However, the Courts have their own share of problems. Too many cases in too few courts spell disaster.

Post 26/11 what should govt agencies’ view on counter-terrorism be?
Synergy is a word I’ve used very often. The job of counter-terrorism can’t be limited to a single agency like the CBI or NIA. Sometimes even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local police play a key role in counter-terrorism efforts.

You’re presently the chief adviser to the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). What’s your take on the illegal betting scene in India?
The underworld would continue to take keen interest in cash-cows like Cricket. The 2013 IPL scam that we investigated unearthed a direct link between the bookies and the D-Company. However, to make a general statement that all bookies are Dawood’s associates would be unjustified.

What can be done to ensure illegal betting is out of the IPL?
The terms of my contract with the BCCI are such that I can’t speak about sports with the media. Please excuse me on that count.

Some argue that legalizing betting can set up a legitimate and regulated industry the government can make revenues from.
Not a bad idea. However, do not forget that a large chunk of the money here is black money. Even if the industry is legalized, a minuscule part of the actual amount would be taxable. People think twice before writing a Rs.50k cheque, forget declaring a Rs. 50 lakh bet on a match. Illegal betting would carry on despite regulations.

Your views on the black money scenario in the country.
I cannot comment on government policies and their implementation. The problem of black money is well-known. Let’s leave it at that.*laughs*

The leadership lessons you’ve learned from your term as a CBI officer.
There are so many *laughs*. I tend to believe leaders are born and not made. In addition to the sense of duty and motivation, you should stand by your subordinates and capitalize on their potential. You can only do that by setting an example. It’s too deep to fully comprehend in words.

I kept telling my officers to act as a counter-terrorism unit and not armchair detectives. It’s most rare to hear of a CBI officer using his firearm. They are not expected to be a part of gunfights. However, if you read the first two cases in my book, three assailants had to be shot dead. It takes exceptional mental strength to jump into a gunfight without fearing for your life.

Image credit: Indiatimes