Former IPS Officer Vijay Raman dies in Pune

September 23, 2023

Pune: Vijay Raman, a retired IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre who gained prominence for leading the police encounter resulting in the death of athlete-turned-dacoit Paan Singh Tomar in 1981, passed away in Pune on Friday morning at the age of 72.

Veena Raman, the spouse of the deceased officer, revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer in February this year and had been undergoing treatment. Having belonged to the 1975 batch of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, Raman served as the superintendent of police in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district during the 14-hour encounter with Tomar on October 1, 1981.

As per the information provided, Raman had also been involved in various counter-terrorism and anti-Naxal operations, having worked with esteemed organizations such as the MP police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and the Railway Police. Veena expressed her shock at his sudden demise, as he had been showing signs of improvement during his treatment.

She shared that he had been admitted to the hospital on September 18 due to breathing difficulties, but had been moved out of the ICU on Thursday as his condition seemed to be improving. The family had been making plans to bring him home within the next 2-3 days. Veena had been intending to commission a book detailing his remarkable career in the police services.

Throughout his career, Raman was entrusted with crucial assignments that showcased his capabilities. In 1984, as superintendent of police at the Special Branch in Bhopal, he played a vital role in rescuing and resettling citizens affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy. He also played a significant role in the surrender of notorious dacoits Phoolan Devi and Malkhan Singh.

From 1985 to 1995, Raman served in various positions within the Special Protection Group (SPG) in Delhi, where he was responsible for the security of four Prime Ministers, including Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh, Chandra Shekhar, and PV Narsimha Rao. In 2003, as the Inspector General of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Srinagar, Raman led a challenging 10-hour encounter that resulted in the elimination of the notorious terrorist Ghazi Baba, who was the mastermind behind the Parliament attacks.

In 2000, as the BSF IG in Jammu, Raman played a crucial role in the completion of a multi-crore project involving the construction of fencing and floodlighting along the international border with Pakistan. Despite facing violence and constant tension, Raman and his team successfully completed the project at a lower cost than projected. Overall, Vijay Raman’s contributions and achievements throughout his career were highly commendable, and his loss is deeply felt by those who had the privilege of working with him.