J &K’s ‘most talented’ cop passes away
Friday, 22 06 2012 11:42
Kochi, June 21: Founder Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) Radha Vinod (RV) Raju died at a private hospital here early today after a prolonged illness.
62-year-old Raju breathed his last at 3:40 am after being hospitalised for a brief period, hospital sources said.
Since January this year, he was down with recurring pneumonia and had been admitted to the hospital a week ago for lung infection, sources said.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
The soft-spoken Raju was appointed on January 19, 2009 as the first chief of the NIA set up in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.
A 1975 batch IPS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, Raju handled the case of US citizen Lashkar-e-Toiba operative David Headley.
Before being appointed as NIA Chief, Raju was the Director General (Vigilance) of Jammu and Kashmir.
Considered as one of the finest officers, Raju was associated with the probes into Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, hijacking of Indian Airlines plane to Kandahar in 1999 and Naval war room leak.
Serving as head of the Vigilance Bureau in Jammu and Kashmir earlier, Raju streamlined the department which was in a shambles due to militancy. His investigation had brought to light the alleged misappropriation by Maulvi Ifthikar Hussain Ansari, a former minister in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s cabinet.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah expressed grief on the sad demise of Raju describing him a gentleman who led a principled life.
The Chief Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Additional Director General of Police Security, Ram Lubhaya has been deputed to attend the funeral of Raju at Kochi.
Recalling Raju’s dedicated services to the state, the Governor N N Vohra, in a condolence message, conveyed his sympathy to members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Union Minister for Renewable Energy and National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah also expressed grief over the demise of Raju.
According to the party spokesman, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that Raju was a sincere and a capable police officer ready for any challenges. He said it’s a great loss and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family members and prayed for his eternal peace.
Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani has expressed grief on the sad demise of Raju, a former IPS officer of 1975 batch.
Describing Raju a professional police officer, Wani said that his contribution as a police officer would be the beacon light for the Police department of the J&K state.
Wani conveyed his heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the peace to the departed soul.
Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Devender Singh Rana has also expressed his grief and sorrow on the sad demise of Raju.
In his condolence message from New Delhi, the J&K Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar said Raju served the Jammu and Kashmir Police in different capacities and was one of the most honest and efficient officers.
He was known for his professional efficiency and honesty in the state. He would be remembered for his commendable contribution in probing the high-profile cases, Rajendra said.
Meanwhile, serving and retired officers in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday mourned the death of former colleague Radha Vinod Raju, calling him an ace investigator and a thorough professional.
Inspector General of Police Sheikh Owais remembered Raju as an ace investigator and one who always seemed to be in a hurry to help the needy.
Naeem Akhtar, a former bureaucrat, watched Raju's career groom from a probationer to a commander.
"He was a human being of exceptional qualities. I lived with him in the same apartment for over two years. Though professionally very competent, he could never cast himself into the steel jacket that usually happens to police officers," Akhtar said.
Peer Ghulam Hassan Shah, the first DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Police, expressed shock over Raju's demise.
"He headed the first police recruitment board. He went to far flung areas like Nobra, Kishtwar, Mendhar and Paddar to recruit constables. He was secular, honest and competent. He earned the love and respect of those who served under or with him," said
G M Andrabi who worked with Raju for over 30 years.
"I have no words to describe his simplicity, honesty, integrity, professional competence and above all the human qualities with which he endeared himself to everybody," he said.
Raju, 62, died of lung complications in a Kochi hospital.
Since January this year, he was down with recurring pneumonia and had been admitted to the hospital a week ago for lung infection, sources said.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
The soft-spoken Raju was appointed on January 19, 2009 as the first chief of the NIA set up in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.
A 1975 batch IPS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, Raju handled the case of US citizen Lashkar-e-Toiba operative David Headley.
Before being appointed as NIA Chief, Raju was the Director General (Vigilance) of Jammu and Kashmir.
Considered as one of the finest officers, Raju was associated with the probes into Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, hijacking of Indian Airlines plane to Kandahar in 1999 and Naval war room leak.
Serving as head of the Vigilance Bureau in Jammu and Kashmir earlier, Raju streamlined the department which was in a shambles due to militancy. His investigation had brought to light the alleged misappropriation by Maulvi Ifthikar Hussain Ansari, a former minister in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s cabinet.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah expressed grief on the sad demise of Raju describing him a gentleman who led a principled life.
The Chief Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Additional Director General of Police Security, Ram Lubhaya has been deputed to attend the funeral of Raju at Kochi.
Recalling Raju’s dedicated services to the state, the Governor N N Vohra, in a condolence message, conveyed his sympathy to members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Union Minister for Renewable Energy and National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah also expressed grief over the demise of Raju.
According to the party spokesman, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that Raju was a sincere and a capable police officer ready for any challenges. He said it’s a great loss and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family members and prayed for his eternal peace.
Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani has expressed grief on the sad demise of Raju, a former IPS officer of 1975 batch.
Describing Raju a professional police officer, Wani said that his contribution as a police officer would be the beacon light for the Police department of the J&K state.
Wani conveyed his heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the peace to the departed soul.
Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Devender Singh Rana has also expressed his grief and sorrow on the sad demise of Raju.
In his condolence message from New Delhi, the J&K Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar said Raju served the Jammu and Kashmir Police in different capacities and was one of the most honest and efficient officers.
He was known for his professional efficiency and honesty in the state. He would be remembered for his commendable contribution in probing the high-profile cases, Rajendra said.
Meanwhile, serving and retired officers in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday mourned the death of former colleague Radha Vinod Raju, calling him an ace investigator and a thorough professional.
Inspector General of Police Sheikh Owais remembered Raju as an ace investigator and one who always seemed to be in a hurry to help the needy.
Naeem Akhtar, a former bureaucrat, watched Raju's career groom from a probationer to a commander.
"He was a human being of exceptional qualities. I lived with him in the same apartment for over two years. Though professionally very competent, he could never cast himself into the steel jacket that usually happens to police officers," Akhtar said.
Peer Ghulam Hassan Shah, the first DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Police, expressed shock over Raju's demise.
"He headed the first police recruitment board. He went to far flung areas like Nobra, Kishtwar, Mendhar and Paddar to recruit constables. He was secular, honest and competent. He earned the love and respect of those who served under or with him," said
G M Andrabi who worked with Raju for over 30 years.
"I have no words to describe his simplicity, honesty, integrity, professional competence and above all the human qualities with which he endeared himself to everybody," he said.
Raju, 62, died of lung complications in a Kochi hospital.
