Bihar Police Officers Honored for 2002 Chhapra Jail Siege Bravery
In a remarkable tale of courage and defiance, three Bihar Police officers have been awarded the Medal for Gallantry for their heroic actions during a massive prison revolt in 2002. The story unfolds in the early hours after Holi, when Kundan Krishnan, then Superintendent of Police of Saran district, along with his bodyguard Jitendra Singh and Station House Officer Arjun Lal, made a daring decision that broke standard protocol and entered the annals of state history.
A Prison in Chaos
The unrest at Chhapra jail began on March 28, 2002, sparked by an order to transfer five notorious criminals. For three days, 1,200 inmates held the complex hostage, armed with improvised explosives and seized weapons. They transformed the jail into a fortress, damaging property and assaulting staff, while supporters outside exploited Holi festivities to throw supplies over the walls, fueling the uprising.
Water and electricity were cut off in an attempt to force surrender, but negotiations failed. As journalists flocked to Chhapra and relatives of prisoners pelted stones at security forces, the Bihar government's patience wore thin, tasking Kundan Krishnan with reclaiming the jail.
The Daring Entry
Facing a do-or-die situation, Krishnan planned a coordinated push from three points, but only his team succeeded. Scaling the high walls with Lal and Singh, they dropped onto the administrative building's roof and descended into the hornet's nest. Inside, inmates had stacked gas cylinders against the locked main gate, creating a potential firebomb to block entry.
Krishnan, now Director General (Operations) of Bihar Police, recalled, "The prisoners had stacked cylinders behind the locked gate, ensuring any attempt to cut through from outside would trigger an explosion. There was no other way; it had to be done from inside." Armed with a carbine and without backup, the trio manually hauled the cylinders away, clearing the path for a gas cutter to slice through the entrance.
A Fierce Battle and Aftermath
As police flooded in, a four-hour pitched battle ensued, using teargas, hand grenades, and self-defence firing to disperse rioters and prevent a mass jailbreak. The operation left seven prisoners and 28 police personnel injured, with four inmates dead. Krishnan himself suffered injuries, including a cracked finger bone and a blown-off shoe from a bomb explosion.
Nearly 24 years later, on Republic Day 2026, Krishnan, Lal (retired as DSP), and Singh (currently a sub-inspector in Patna) were honored with the Gallantry Medal. Krishnan, a 1994-batch IPS officer, has served in various high-profile roles, including ADG of Bihar Police and CISF.
Additional Honors and Recognition
In related news, two more Bihar Police officers received the President's Medal for Distinguished Service, and 17 got the Medal for Meritorious Service. Additionally, DSP Ruby Chaudhary and Head Constable Bhola Rai of the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Patna were awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service. Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar congratulated all medal winners, highlighting their contributions to law enforcement.
This story underscores the bravery and quick thinking required in crisis situations, serving as an inspiration in the field of public safety and governance.
