This ex-cop seized machine gun, hit Mukhtar Ansari with POTA charge

Around 20 years ago, in 2004, dreaded gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's empire was at its peak. He would move around in open jeeps, and even carry a light machine gun. No police officer had the audacity to confront him but for Shailendra Singh, the then deputy superintendent of police, whose dogged pursuit of Ansari led to the recovery of the machine gun and Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) charges against the gangster.

However, it is this long and bitter war against the gangster-turned-politician that ended Shailendra Singh's career as he was forced to resign in 15 days by the then Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government.

Reflecting on his journey following the death of Mukhtar Ansari due to cardiac arrest, Shailendra Singh said he was the one who had first recovered the light machine gun from the gangster-turned-politician's possession.

"But the Mulayam government wanted to save him at any cost. He pressurised officials, IG-Range, DIG, and SP-STF were transferred, even I was made to resign within 15 days. But in my resignation, I wrote my reasons and put it before the people that this is the government you chose, which is protecting and working on the orders of mafias... I wasn't doing a favour to anyone. It was my duty," the former top cop told ANI.

SHAILENDRA SINGH AND HIS PURSUIT TO SEIZE LMG

Former DSP Shailendra Singh comes from a lineage of patriots. His grandfather took part in India's freedom struggle. Despite Ansari's persona as a feared gangster and a seasoned politician, Shailendra Singh exhibited exemplary courage to pursue the gangster amid odds and political pressure.

In 2004, Mukhtar Ansari's vast criminal syndicate was at its peak. At that time, his rivalry was also escalating with then BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, whom Ansari would go on to kill a year later.

The chain of events started when unknown assailants opened fire on Mukhtar Ansari's cavalcade in Lucknow. While it was not established who led the attack, rumours circulated that Rai was the mastermind.

After the shooting incident, police received intelligence that Ansari was trying to purchase a light machine gun (LMG). Shailendra Singh was then heading the Varanasi Special Task Force (STF) unit. Singh intercepted calls that eventually confirmed Ansari's plans to get hold of an LMG.

Days later, a team led by Singh raided Varanasi's Chaubepur area and seized the LMG and 200 cartridges.