IPS Lakh Singh Bhati

Lakh Singh Bhati was born in 1920 in a Rajput family of village Loharki in the former Jaisalmer State. He completed his Metric education from Chopasni School in 1941 and was selected for Police Sub Inspector training at Moradabad, completing it in 1943.

Early Career

He initially served as Hakim in Jaisalmer State till 1950. During this time, he was commended by Jodhpur State and Sindh Police for eliminating two members of the Rahim Hingora gang wanted by these police forces. He also earned commendation from the Bikaner state government for chasing and arresting six dacoits wanted by Bikaner state. He participated in the raid party that chased over 500 Pathans back into Pakistan, who had looted villages near Sultana during the time of Independence.

Rajasthan Police Service

After joining the Rajasthan Police, Bhati spent nearly 14 years in the Anti-Dacoity Force operating in Bikaner, Barmer, Jalore, Pali, and Sirohi districts.

• In 1961, he was awarded the President’s Police and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry for eliminating the notorious dacoit Dhunk Singh and his gang in the foothills of Mt. Abu. Dhunk Singh was wanted by both Gujarat and Rajasthan Police.
• In 1967, he was awarded the Bar to President’s Police Medal for Gallantry for eliminating dacoit Kishen Singh Bhati and his gang in Barmer, who had killed a Sub Inspector and two constables a few days prior.
• He is one of the very few officers in India to have been awarded a Bar to the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry.
• He also received the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

He was responsible for the surrender of the famous dacoit Balwant Singh Bakhasar and 19 dacoits of the Bhati gang of Jaisalmer. He also eliminated many smaller dacoit gangs including Kaniya Valiya in Jalore.

Role in 1965 War and Later Service

During the 1965 war, Bhati was attached to Major General N.C. Rawley, Commander of the 11th Division responsible for operations in Barmer. He was commended by the General for his role during the war, which contributed to his promotion to the Indian Police Service (IPS).

He served as Superintendent of Police (SP) from 1968 to 1979 in many districts of Rajasthan before retiring as Senior SP.

Legacy

Lakh Singh Bhati’s journey from an ordinary Rajput family in Jaisalmer to Senior SP is marked by merit and gallantry. Along with Shri Guman Singh Bhati (DIG) and Shri Narayan Singh Bhati (SP), he was among the three key police officers from the former Jaisalmer State who played a major role in eliminating notorious dacoit gangs in Rajasthan during the 1950s and 1960s.