In a bold and transformative move, Shivdeep Wamanrao Lande, a celebrated former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 2006 batch, has stepped into the political arena by launching his own political party, Hind Sena, on April 8, 2025. This announcement, made in Patna, comes just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for October-November 2025, signaling his intent to contest all 243 seats and reshape the state’s political landscape. Known as the “Singham of Bihar” for his fearless policing and unwavering commitment to justice, Lande’s transition from a decorated law enforcer to a political leader marks a new chapter in his storied career. As of April 8, 2025, his journey from a small-town boy in Maharashtra to a revered supercop in Bihar and now the founder of Hind Sena stands as a testament to his relentless drive to serve the people.
Early Life: From Humble Roots to Academic Excellence
Shivdeep Wamanrao Lande was born on August 29, 1976, in Akola, a district in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, into a modest farming family. Growing up in a rural setting, Lande was shaped by the simplicity and struggles of agrarian life, values that would later fuel his dedication to public service. His early education took place at Saraswati Vidya Mandir in Akola, where his curiosity and determination began to shine. Despite the limited resources of his upbringing, Lande excelled academically, eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering.
Engineering, however, was only a stepping stone. Drawn to the broader canvas of civil services, Lande set his sights on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, one of India’s toughest gateways to public office. His first attempt in 2005 saw him selected as an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, but his ambition pushed him further. In 2006, he cracked the UPSC again, this time securing a coveted spot in the IPS, joining the Bihar cadre a state that would become his karmabhoomi (land of work).
A Stellar Policing Career: The Making of ‘Singham’
Lande’s entry into the IPS marked the beginning of an 18-year career that would earn him a legendary status in Bihar. His first posting as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Munger set the tone for his tenure a no-nonsense approach to law enforcement that quickly made him a household name. Over the years, he served in critical roles across Bihar, including SP of Araria, Purnea, Patna (Central Region), and later as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Kosi and Tirhut Divisions. His final posting before resignation was as Inspector General (IG) of Purnea Range, a position he held until September 2024.
Lande’s policing style was flamboyant yet principled, earning him sobriquets like “Dabbang,” “Singham,” and “The Supercop.” His tenure as SP of Patna was particularly notable, where he cracked down on criminals, took stern action against eve-teasers, and restored public faith in the police force. One of his most celebrated operations came in 2015-16 as SP of Rohtas, where he led a campaign against the mining mafia. In a dramatic showdown involving over 30 rounds of firing, his team demolished 100 illegal stone crusher units in a single day, arresting 500 individuals—a first in Bihar’s history.
Beyond Bihar, Lande’s career took him to Maharashtra on a five-year deputation from 2016 to 2021. There, as Additional Commissioner of Police in the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), he played a pivotal role in cracking high-profile cases, including the Antilia bomb scare near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence in 2021 and the subsequent murder investigation of Mansukh Hiran. His investigative acumen and leadership under pressure further solidified his reputation as a formidable officer.
Personal Life and Social Commitment
Lande’s personal life reflects the same dedication he brought to his profession. In 2014, he married Mamta Shivtare, daughter of Shiv Sena leader and former Maharashtra minister Vijay Shivtare, a union that bridged his Maharashtra roots with his Bihar journey. Mamta’s influence was significant—her desire to see him serve in Maharashtra prompted his deputation, which he undertook with the blessings of then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
A lesser-known facet of Lande’s life is his philanthropy. Reports suggest he donated 60-70% of his salary to a charitable organization in Akola, funding mass marriages for underprivileged girls and supporting coaching classes and hostels for students. This quiet generosity underscores his belief in uplifting the marginalized, a theme that now echoes in his political venture.
Resignation: A Leap into the Unknown
On September 19, 2024, Lande stunned Bihar by resigning from the IPS after 18 years of service, citing “personal reasons.” His emotional farewell post on social media read, “My dear Bihar, I’ve resigned from my position after 18 years of service… I apologize if anything has been done wrong while being a public servant. I will remain in Bihar and serve its people.” Posted as IG of Purnea Range at the time, his exit came just weeks after a transfer from Tirhut Range, marking him as the second IPS officer in two months to opt for voluntary retirement, following Kamya Mishra.
Speculation swirled about his next move some linked him to Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, while others foresaw a Rajya Sabha bid. Lande, however, clarified he was not joining any existing political outfit. Instead, he launched the “Connect with Shivdeep” app in February 2025, signaling his intent to engage directly with Bihar’s youth and citizens, starting from Munger his first posting as an IPS officer.
The Birth of Hind Sena: A Political Awakening
On April 8, 2025, Lande unveiled Hind Sena in a press conference in Patna, announcing its plan to contest all 243 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The party’s name, inspired by his habit of beginning every police operation with “Jai Hind,” reflects his nationalist ethos. Declaring himself the national president, Lande outlined a vision rooted in “humanity, justice, and service,” aiming to transcend caste and religious divides—a bold stance in Bihar’s caste-driven politics.
“Hind Sena will fight for the rights of Bihar and bring the youth into leadership,” Lande proclaimed, emphasizing rural development as a priority. Having traveled across nearly every district in Bihar post-resignation (except Bettiah and Bagaha), he highlighted the lack of basic amenities paved roads, housing, food, and clothing vowing to address these through democratic change. While he dodged questions about personally contesting, he asserted, “Behind every candidate, the name will be that of Shivdeep Lande,” positioning himself as the party’s driving force.
The launch of Hind Sena follows the emergence of Jan Suraaj Party, creating a buzz in Bihar’s political circles. Lande’s entry as a former “supercop” with a clean image and grassroots appeal could disrupt the state’s traditional power dynamics, especially given his rejection of a Rajya Sabha offer from an established party in favor of building his own platform.
A Vision for Bihar’s Future
Lande’s political agenda is ambitious yet grounded in his experiences as an IPS officer. He aims to address Bihar’s chronic issues poverty, infrastructure deficits, and governance lapses while fostering a new generation of leaders. His party’s outreach, already underway, involves gathering public opinion at the grassroots level, a strategy reminiscent of his policing days when he relied on community trust to combat crime.
Critics question whether Hind Sena can translate Lande’s personal popularity into electoral success in a state dominated by seasoned players like Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), the RJD, and the BJP. Yet, his outsider status, coupled with his reputation for integrity, could resonate with voters disillusioned by conventional politics.
A Legacy in Transition
As Shivdeep Lande embarks on this political journey, his legacy as an IPS officer marked by courage, discipline, and public service serves as his foundation. From dismantling criminal networks to launching Hind Sena, his career reflects a singular mission: to serve the people, whether in uniform or on the ballot. As Bihar heads toward the 2025 elections, all eyes are on this former supercop, whose next chapter promises to be as dynamic as his past.