In a significant ceremony in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conferred the prestigious Chief Minister's Outstanding Service Police Medal upon sixteen police officers and personnel. The awards recognise their exemplary dedication, professionalism, and distinguished service rendered to the state over a four-year period from 2022 to 2025.
Recognising Bravery Across Critical Fronts
Officials stated that the honours were given for outstanding contributions across a wide spectrum of policing, including maintaining law and order, intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism operations, and ensuring public safety throughout Uttar Pradesh. The awardees for each year were distinctly recognised for their specific, high-impact actions.
For the year 2022, the medal was awarded to Prabhakar Chaudhary, Vinay Chandra, Ravindra Pratap Singh, Dinesh Kumar Dandiyal, and Manu Chaudhary. Inspector General Shailesh Pandey was notably rewarded for his actions as SSP Prayagraj in 2022, where he led the confiscation of property worth more than Rs 300 crore belonging to slain gangster Atiq Ahmed and his family members. His tenure also saw the attachment of several properties of other mafia figures in the Prayagraj region.
The 2023 recipients included Shailesh Kumar Pandey, Vishal Vikram Singh, Vishal Sangari, Manoj Chikara, and Shailesh Kuntal. Additional SP in the Special Task Force (STF), Vishal Vikram Singh, was honoured for his role in the encounter of a dangerous criminal, Alisher, from Azamgarh on September 22, 2021. Alisher, who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh, was known for taking contracts from gang members of Mukhtar Ansari and was implicated in the murder of BJP leader Jitram Munda from Ranchi. He was notorious for using carbines and other sophisticated weapons.
Cracking Down on Major Fraud and Subversive Networks
For 2024, the honours were conferred on Anurag Arya, Vimal Kumar Singh, and Arun Kumar. The 2025 awardees were Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, Parmesh Shukla, and Priyanshi Prajapati.
Superintendent of Police for Sambhal, Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, was recognised for spearheading a massive crackdown on an interstate insurance fraud racket that had been active for over a decade, involving an estimated Rs 100 crore. Under his leadership, police arrested 68 accused in 17 cases, exposed fraudulent tractor financing schemes across several states, and unearthed the gang's involvement in murders and Aadhaar card manipulation.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (STF) Pramesh Shukla received the award for his meticulous investigation into a high-profile case involving Jamaluddin, also known as Chhangur Shah or Peer Baba. His probe revealed a foreign-funded network engaged in forced religious conversions and demographic manipulation. The investigation successfully traced over Rs 100 crore in suspicious funding flowing through more than 40 bank accounts, with links extending to countries like Switzerland.
Excellence Beyond the Beat: Sports Glory
The awards also celebrated excellence beyond traditional policing duties. Constable Priyanshi Prajapati from the Agra Commissionerate was honoured for her exceptional achievements in sports. A decorated wrestler, she has won several national and international medals. Her most notable accomplishment was securing a gold medal for India in the 50 kg category at the U-17 Wrestling Asian Championship held in Vietnam in June 2025. This victory brought global recognition to the Uttar Pradesh Police force.
The ceremony underscored the state government's commitment to acknowledging the multifaceted efforts of its police personnel. From confronting hardened criminals and dismantling financial frauds to investigating complex subversive networks and bringing sporting pride, the awardees represented the diverse and critical roles the police play in safeguarding society and upholding the law in Uttar Pradesh.
