In Focus by The Hindu In Focus-Weekend | Inside Mumbai’s battle against the underworld w/ D. Sivanandhan IPS (Retd.)
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Nov 30, 2025 D. Sivanandhan, a retired IPS officer and former Mumbai Police Commissioner, dives into the gritty history of Mumbai’s underworld. He shares gripping stories from the gangster era, including the rise of notorious figures like Dawood Ibrahim. Sivanandhan discusses the critical legal tool MCOCA, which revolutionized police tactics, and sheds light on the challenges of policing organized crime. He even reveals the links between the mafia and terrorism, along with Bollywood's vulnerable ties to gangsters. His insights unveil a complex battle for control in the city.
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Encounters Alone Didn't End Crime
- Encounters were used heavily in the 1990s but did not end gangsterism; legal and institutional measures did.
- Sivanandhan stresses that encounters alone weren't the decisive factor in ending organised crime.
Incentivise Weapons Recovery
- Incentivize police units and reward recoveries to drive aggressive illegal-weapons seizures.
- Offer meaningful official rewards to boost morale and recover large arsenals that raise operatives' costs.
Build A Trained, Resourced Strike Team
- Train specialised teams in surveillance, intelligence and sharpshooting using IB and R&AW techniques.
- Allocate resources quickly and visibly to sustain specialised operations and morale.