Aneesh Sarkar
Aneesh Sarkar, currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar Zone, is a distinguished Indian Police Service (IPS) officer known for his strategic vision and unwavering dedication. His journey through the ranks of the police force is filled with experiences that reflect both grit and resilience.
He began his service in Lalgarh, Paschim Medinipur—then a stronghold of Maoist insurgency. Starting as a probationer, he was soon entrusted with key responsibilities in anti-Maoist operations. Over the next three years, his on-ground experience in one of the country’s most volatile regions laid the foundation for a career steeped in high-risk assignments and tactical challenges.
Following his tenure in Lalgarh, he was posted as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Airport) under the newly formed Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate. Here, he played a pivotal role in dismantling the notorious Babai gang, which had been responsible for a string of murders in the city. His ability to lead from the front became even more evident when, as ACP of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (Bidhannagar), he led the team that apprehended the head of Jamiat ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a group linked to the high-profile Bardhaman blast case.
Later, as Deputy Superintendent of Police with the CID, he was instrumental in arresting the primary and other accused in the sensational Ranaghat rape case that dominated headlines nationwide. His time in CID also saw him diving deep into the cyber networks of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), following the arrest of a key operative. This allowed Indian intelligence to gain valuable insight into the digital operations of the banned terror outfit.
As Additional Superintendent of Police in Murshidabad, he encountered one of the most tragic incidents of his career—the Daulatabad bus accident that claimed 42 lives. Even after sustaining injuries during the subsequent unrest, his leadership and crisis management drew praise from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal. He also effectively handled post-NRC agitation-related violence in the region.
His next mission took him to Malda as Additional SP (Rural), where he cracked down on the drug mafias of Kaliachak. Several major arrests and drug seizures were made under his watch. His fight against narcotics continued as Special SP, CID (Malda zone), culminating in the seizure of ₹1.4 crore in drug-related funds from a single residence in Gazole, Malda. In parallel, he took charge of cattle smuggling investigations in Murshidabad, and despite facing numerous obstacles, successfully froze most Indian assets of long-absconding kingpins behind the illegal trade.
In February 2024, Sarkar returned to urban policing as DCP, Bidhannagar, where his tenure has already involved handling several sensitive and high-pressure situations. His strategic and composed approach continues to earn him recognition.
In addition to his policing career, Aneesh Sarkar is also exploring the literary world. He is in the final stages of completing his debut novel based on the Maoist insurgency in Lalgarh (2008–2011). Inspired by his own experiences, the narrative traces the intertwined paths of a police officer and three rebels, capturing the human and ideological complexities of an armed movement from its rise to its eventual collapse.
Aneesh Sarkar’s journey reflects the spirit of a public servant who combines tactical acumen with deep empathy and intellectual curiosity. His life story is a compelling example of what it means to serve with purpose and integrity, even amidst the most trying circumstances.
