- Rajeev Dasot is likely a senior IPS officer from the 1987 Rajasthan cadre, currently serving as Director General of Prisons, Rajasthan.
- He holds an MBA degree, with details of the institution unclear, and has a distinguished career in policing and prison reform.
- His career includes roles like Superintendent of Police in various districts, DIG in BSF, and leadership in police training, earning awards like the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2015.
- There was a 2016 controversy where he was accused of corruption, which he denied, and it seems to have had little long-term impact on his career.
- Unexpected detail: His efforts led Rajasthan prisons to rank number one in the India Justice Report 2020, focusing on inmate rehabilitation.
Early Life and Education
Rajeev Dasot’s early life details are not widely available, but it seems likely that his education, including an MBA, prepared him for a career in public service. The specific institution for his MBA is not clear from available information, but his professional background suggests a strong academic foundation.
Career Highlights
Dasot’s career in the Indian Police Service (IPS) began with the 1987 batch in the Rajasthan cadre. He served as Superintendent of Police in districts like Jaisalmer, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Kota City, and Bikaner, and held specialized roles such as Superintendent of Police for Intelligence in Jodhpur and for Security in Rajasthan. In 2002, he was deputed to the Border Security Force (BSF) as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for the Jaisalmer Sector, managing a significant border area for over three years. His promotions led him to Inspector General of Police for ranges including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Jaipur, and later to Additional Director General of Police in roles like Vigilance and Armed Battalions. By 2016, he directed the Rajasthan Police Academy, which was recognized as the best in North India by the Ministry of Home Affairs. In 2019, he became Director General of Police (Training) and later Director General of Home Guards, focusing on modernization and welfare. Currently, he serves as Director General of Prisons, Rajasthan, where his reforms have been notable.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Dasot has received numerous accolades, including the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Police (Special Duty) Medal, Operation Vijay Medal, Operation Parakram Medal, and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2015. His international exposures, such as programs in Thailand (1995), the UK (1998), USA (2003, 2014), and Rwanda, Africa (2012), have enriched his approach to policing.
Controversies and Challenges
In 2016, a junior IPS officer, Pankaj Choudhary, accused Dasot of corruption and abuse of power, alleging irregularities in postings and RTI responses. Dasot denied these claims, calling them baseless, and it seems likely that the controversy did not significantly impact his career, given his subsequent promotions and recognitions.
Unexpected Contributions
An unexpected detail is Dasot’s impact on prison reform. As Director General of Prisons, his initiatives, including naming a road “Road to Reform” in 2021 to symbolize inmate rehabilitation, helped Rajasthan prisons achieve the top rank in the India Justice Report 2020, highlighting his commitment to societal reintegration.
Comprehensive Biography of IPS Rajeev Dasot
Rajeev Dasot stands as a prominent figure in the Indian Police Service (IPS), with a career spanning decades and marked by significant contributions to law enforcement, police training, and prison reform in Rajasthan. This detailed biography explores his educational background, career trajectory, awards, controversies, and unexpected achievements, providing a holistic view of his impact.
Educational Background and Early Career
While specific details of Rajeev Dasot’s early life remain elusive, it is known that he holds an MBA degree, which likely equipped him with the managerial skills essential for his later roles. The institution from which he obtained his MBA is not publicly detailed in available sources, but his professional journey suggests a strong academic foundation. Joining the IPS in 1987 under the Rajasthan cadre, Dasot embarked on a career dedicated to public service, beginning with foundational roles that shaped his understanding of policing.
Career Progression and Key Roles
Dasot’s career is a testament to his versatility and leadership. He started as Superintendent of Police in several districts, including Jaisalmer, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Kota City, and Bikaner, where he gained hands-on experience in law enforcement. His expertise extended to specialized roles such as Superintendent of Police for Intelligence in the Jodhpur Division and for Security in Rajasthan, highlighting his capability in handling sensitive and strategic responsibilities.
In 2002, Dasot was deputed to the Border Security Force (BSF) as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for the Jaisalmer Sector, commanding a 470-kilometer stretch of the international border for over three years. This role underscored his ability to manage national security at a critical frontier, earning him recognition for his strategic oversight.
Upon repatriation, Dasot’s promotions continued, with appointments as Inspector General of Police for ranges such as Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Jaipur. His elevation to Additional Director General of Police in 2012 saw him take on roles in Vigilance, the Mines Department, and Armed Battalions, where he commanded sixteen battalions effectively. In July 2016, he became Additional Director General of Police and Director of the Rajasthan Police Academy in Jaipur, leading the academy to be declared the best in North India by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
By January 2019, Dasot was promoted to Director General of Police (Training), Rajasthan, where he elevated training standards, and in November 2019, he assumed the role of Director General, Home Guards. His tenure here focused on systemic improvements, including infrastructure development, new recruitments, vehicle and equipment modernization, and enhancing the morale of officers and volunteers, significantly improving the department’s image.
As of recent updates, Dasot serves as Director General of Prisons, Rajasthan, a role where his efforts have been pivotal in reforming and rehabilitating inmates, earning Rajasthan prisons the number one position in the India Justice Report 2020, an initiative by Tata Trusts in collaboration with various organizations .
Awards and International Exposure
Dasot’s contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, reflecting his dedication and excellence. These include the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Police (Special Duty) Medal, Operation Vijay Medal, Operation Parakram Medal, and notably, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service awarded on Republic Day 2015. His international exposures have further enriched his perspective, with programs such as the UNDCP in Bangkok, Thailand (1995), UNDP in the UK (1998), FBI training in the USA (2003), UN SMLC in Rwanda, Africa (2012), and the Anti-terrorist Assistance Programme by the US Government in 2014, enhancing his global understanding of law enforcement practices.
Controversies and Public Perception
Despite his achievements, Dasot’s career faced a notable challenge in 2016 when Pankaj Choudhary, a junior IPS officer and Superintendent of Police at the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), accused him of corruption and abuse of official powers. The allegations, detailed in a public complaint on Facebook, included irregularities in postings, delays in RTI responses, and harassment, particularly related to Dasot’s role as Additional Director General of Armed Battalions . Dasot dismissed these claims as baseless, stating he discharged his duties with honesty and dedication, and chose not to engage further, considering a response “below dignity.” The controversy, while generating media attention, appears to have had minimal long-term impact on his career, as evidenced by his subsequent promotions and recognitions.
Unexpected Contributions and Legacy
One of the most unexpected aspects of Dasot’s career is his transformative work in prison reform. As Director General of Prisons, he initiated measures to rehabilitate inmates, including skill development and educational programs to aid their reintegration into society. A symbolic gesture was the naming of a road leading from Jaipur Central Jail to the campus exit as “Road to Reform” on June 28, 2021, symbolizing the journey of inmates towards a crime-free life. This initiative, coupled with his efforts, led to Rajasthan prisons achieving the top rank in the India Justice Report 2020, highlighting his commitment to societal change beyond traditional policing.
Detailed Career Timeline
To provide a structured overview, here is a table summarizing key positions and milestones in Rajeev Dasot’s career:
| Year | Position | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Joined IPS, Rajasthan Cadre | Began as Superintendent of Police in various districts |
| 2002 | DIG, BSF, Jaisalmer Sector | Commanded 470 km border for over 3 years |
| 2012 | Addl. Director General of Police, Various Roles | Served in Vigilance, Mines Deptt, Armed Battalions |
| 2016 | Director, Rajasthan Police Academy, Jaipur | Academy declared best in North India by MHA |
| 2019 | DGP (Training), Rajasthan | Elevated police training standards |
| 2019 | Director General, Home Guards | Modernized department, improved infrastructure, morale |
| Current | Director General, Prisons, Rajasthan | Led prison reforms, ranked #1 in India Justice Report 2020 |
Conclusion
Rajeev Dasot’s career is a blend of traditional policing, innovative leadership, and societal reform, making him a pivotal figure in Rajasthan’s law enforcement landscape. His journey, marked by awards, international exposure, and a commitment to change, underscores his role as a trailblazer, despite facing and overcoming controversies. His legacy, particularly in prison reform, offers a model for future leaders in public service.