Anand Pal Singh Explained

Birth Name:Anandpal
Birth Date:31 May 1975
Birth Place:Kuchaman City in Nagaur district, Rajasthan, India
Death Place:Malasar in Churu district, Rajasthan, India
Nationality:Indian
Education:Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Alma Mater:Sujla Mahavidhyalaya, Ladnu, Nagaur district, Rajasthan, India
Spouse:Raj Kanwar [1992–2017(till his death)]
Children:2
Reward Amount:₹10 lakh
Cause:Shot during a police encounter
Charge:Murder, and extortion

Anand Pal Singh (31 May 1975 – 24 June 2017) was an Indian gangster[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] mainly active in the cities of Rajasthan.[7] He was a most-wanted gangster with a reward of ₹10 lakh on his head. He was accused of multiple murders as well as extortion.[8]

His alleged encounter resulted in protests across Rajasthan. His community, family, and lawyers alleged that he wanted to surrender, but the police either killed him after his surrender or forced an encounter instead of letting him surrender, resulting in protest by demanding CBI investigation.[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

His encounter was being protested by many Rajput leaders as well as singers of Rajasthan.

Early life

Singh was born in Sanvrad in Rajasthan in a Rajput family to father Hukam Singh Chouhan and mother Nirmal Kanwar.[18]

After his marriage he earned a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree[19] and started a cement business. He was president.[20] He ran a dairy farm and had more than 8 cows and buffaloes.[21]

Career

After Anandpal was getting married in 1992 he wanted to become a government servant and later started his cement agency business and a milk dairy.[22]

Political ambitions

Anandpal's political ambitions began to take shape in 1999–2000 when he fought the election for Panchayat Samiti member of Sanvrad village. He won and later fought the election of Pradhan of Ladnu Panchayat Samiti. He was defeated by a margin of two votes by Jagnath Burdak, the son of former cabinet minister Harajiram Burdak.

In November 2000, the election for Ladnu Panchayat Samiti committees took place. Singh and a senior Congress leader at that time came in direct conflict. A police case was lodged against Singh for disrupting government work when he did not let a contender file nomination papers. Supporters of Singh alleged that this happened under pressure from senior police officers and politicians. He was indicted for threatening, extortion and violence to make the case non-bailable.

Love for guns

Anandpal was fond of AK-47 rifles.[23] When he was arrested at a farm house near Jaipur in 2012, he was found in possession of an AK-47, bullet-proof vests and bullets.[24] He allegedly used an AK-47 to fire on policemen at this encounter.

He was influenced by Anuradha Chaudhary, a mastermind in his gang.[25] [26] [27]

Escape from police custody

In 2012 he was imprisoned, but escaped on 3 September 2015 when he was traveling to Ajmer high security jail from a court hearing. Three masked people fired on the police van in Khokhar village near Parbatsar, and Singh and two others escaped.[28] [29] [30] This placed him in the top slot on the list of most wanted criminals in Rajasthan. He carried the highest cash reward Rajasthan police had ever offered Rs 10 lakh.[31]

Rajasthan police spent crores of rupees on resources for catching the criminal.[32]

After escaping from police custody, Anandpal was accused of killing a policeman when a police team tried to stop his vehicle in Gudha Bhagwandas.

Allegations

The Rajasthan police stated that Singh and his brothers amassed wealth after entering the world of crime. "Anandpal’s brother Manjeet Singh was in prison in a murder case since 2001. He himself and another brother Vikki had been on the run from the law. There are no known source of income for the family, but Anandpal’s daughter spent nearly Rs. 20 lakh on engineering studies in Dubai," said the statement. The statement further said that Anandpal's other daughter was studying at an expensive school in Pune as was his son. "There are two flats owned by the family in Jaipur’s posh colonies. Each one of them is valued more than Rs 60 lakh. The police confiscated nearly 370 bigha of land," said the statement adding that he owned properties in Kuchaman, Jaipur, Hanumangarh, Sikar and Churu. The family also owns a mine in Makarana, apart from several 'benami' properties.

Lifestyle

Anandpal was considered unique in his status as a criminal in Rajasthan whose aides would often engage in acts of self-sacrifice. In a gang-war in Bikaner Central Jail in July 2014, his close aide Balveer Banuda jumped in front of bullets when Anandpal's enemies tried to shoot him.[33]

Singh had serious charges against him, including murder, robbery and extortion.[34] Despite having these charges on his head, he had developed Robin Hood image among people. His Facebook image uploads and his video uploads on YouTube gives evidence of his fearless life.[35] [36] Black goggles, black hat, moustache, beard, leather jacket and his huge and solid physical appearance resembled a Bollywood style gangster.

Robin Hood style

Anandpal was particularly known for his acts of wealth redistribution, giving to the poor and stealing from the rich. As a result of this, he got a reputation as a Robin Hood-type figure and had garnered support among some members of lower-income communities for his actions.

In popular culture

Crime Patrol Dial 100 - Ep 686 - Full Episode - 8 January 2018 (Full story is based on his lifestyle)

A web series from Zee5 called Rangbaaz Phirse was made in 2019 and released in December 2019 portraying the life of Anandpal. Singh is played by actor Jimmy Sheirgill as Amarpal Singh.[37]

Interests

He was interested in novels and always carried books. Super Brain and Life of Pi were said to be found by the police after his encounter in his Mahindra Scorpio.[38]

Before death

In May 2017, Anandpal attempted to surrender.[39] His advocates met Governor of Rajasthan, Kalyan Singh, in Jaipur who told them that he is a patriot and that if he will be given security he wanted to surrender. A fair investigation was demanded on his behalf to the Chief Justice of High Court. In the court, it was said that the injustice of leaders had led him to this situation and now all these leaders wanted him dead. Anandpal's lawyer A.P. Singh also wrote to the Chief Justice, stating that the court should conduct a fair investigation under the direction of a judge because Anandpal had not committed any crime. He added that Anandpal ran away because his companion Balveer Banuda was killed inside the jail by his enemy Raju Theth. If he had not escaped then he too would have been killed as he was not safe inside the jail. His lawyer alleged that if any lawyer in Rajasthan wants to represent Anandpal, the police overwhelm him in false cases.

Death

Official story

As per police and government officials, he was shot dead at midnight in a raid by the Special Operations Group Anti-Terrorist Squad (India) of the Rajasthan Police at Malasar in Churu district on 24 June 2017.[40] [41] [42] [43] [44]

Public story

His family and many others reject the official story and blame the police for his death.[45] [46]

Anandpal's sister, family and lawyers also said that Anandpal wanted to surrender, but government mainly the former chief minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje and former home minister Gulab Chand Kataria wanted him dead. They asked for protection from the government, court and police.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cops working on breaking Anandpal's 'Robinhood' image – City-Jaipur – News News Syndication Content Syndication. dnasyndication.com. 13 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180404185128/http://dnasyndication.com/showarticlerss.aspx?nid=0pmKcX2xOHHjO3dPulsPIndaulQesgBz3dPuls6yRGhl0i9d0dQcw=. 4 April 2018. live.
  2. Web site: Gangster becomes hero on Facebook, throwing open challenge to IPS.... admin. 5 July 2016. khojkhabarnews.com. 13 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170821044930/http://khojkhabarnews.com/2016/07/05/gangster-becomes-hero-on-facebook-throwing-open-challenge-to-ips-officer-and-police/. 21 August 2017. live.
  3. News: राजपूत समाज के आंदोलनकारियों का 'रॉबिनहुड' था आनंदपाल ! – Opinion Post. 13 July 2017. Opinion Post. 13 July 2017. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20170723091211/http://www.opinionpost.in/gangster-anandpal-as-robin-hood-for-rajputs/. 23 July 2017. live.
  4. News: One dies, 21 injured as violence erupts over Anand Pal encounter – enewsroom. 13 July 2017. enewsroom. 13 July 2017. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170821044751/https://enewsroom.in/die-violence-anand-pal-encounter/. 21 August 2017. live.
  5. News: Rajasthan celebrates the ENCOUNTER of gangster Anand Pal UdaipurTimes.com. 25 June 2017. UdaipurTimes.com. 13 July 2017. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628073138/http://udaipurtimes.com/rajasthan-celebrates-encounter-gangster-anand-pal/. 28 June 2017. live.
  6. Web site: Why Anandpal lives in the hearts of his supporters?. Gujarat. Connect. 13 July 2017. Connect Gujarat. 13 July 2017.
  7. News: Mehta. Ashish. koClose aides of Anand Pal Singh arrested. The Times of India. 7 August 2016. 25 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170104224103/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Close-aides-of-Anand-Pal-Singh-arrested/articleshow/53582789.cms. 4 January 2017. live.
  8. News: Anandpal Encounter of CBI probes the government. jagran. 12 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711110359/http://www.jagran.com/rajasthan/jaipur-anandpal-encounter-of-cbi-probes-the-government-16322971.html. 11 July 2017. live.
  9. News: Kirori Lal Meena seeks CBI probe into Anandpal Singh encounter. 10 July 2017. The Indian Express. 11 July 2017. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045132/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kirori-lal-meena-seeks-cbi-probe-into-anandpal-singh-encounter-4744619/. 21 August 2017. live.
  10. News: Anandpal encounter: Karni Sena demands CBI probe by July 12. 9 July 2017. The Indian Express. 11 July 2017. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709171440/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/anandpal-encounter-karni-sena-demands-cbi-probe-by-july-12/. 9 July 2017. live.
  11. News: Anandpal's family seeks CBI probe; native village protests killing. 25 June 2017. 25 June 2017. Hindustan Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20170625183140/http://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/anandpal-s-family-seeks-cbi-probe-native-village-protests-killing/story-Wbj9A1QaShdfr6zPZeaYEN.html. 25 June 2017. live.
  12. News: राजस्थान : आनंदपाल का शव लेने से परिजनों ने किया इनकार, कहा- मुठभेड़ की सीबीआई जांच हो. NDTVIndia. 12 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102724/https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/cities/anand-pals-family-refuses-to-take-his-dead-body-demands-cbi-enquiry-of-encounter-1717272. 24 March 2018. live.
  13. Web site: आनन्द पाल एनकाउन्टर की हो सीबीआई जांच: राजपूताना क्लब – Anand Pal encounter CBI probe says Rajputana Club. www.patrika.com. en. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170821125135/https://www.patrika.com/news/jalaun/anand-pal-encounter-cbi-probe-says-rajputana-club-1620645/. 21 August 2017. live.
  14. News: Who is Anandpal Singh and why Rajputs in Rajasthan erupted in anger at his killing?. 13 July 2017. hindustantimes.com/. 13 July 2017. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170713110319/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-is-anandpal-singh-and-why-rajputs-in-rajasthan-erupted-in-anger-at-his-killing/story-YPpyFhIUSPzE3XEtMBsYGJ.html. 13 July 2017. live.
  15. News: जानिए, क्यों आनंदपाल जैसे गैंगस्टर के लिए धड़कता है राजपूतों का दिल? Jurm. aajtak.intoday.in. 13 July 2017. hi. https://web.archive.org/web/20170713100150/http://aajtak.intoday.in/crime/story/most-wanted-gangster-anandpal-singh-encounter-politices-rajsthan-goverment-1-940885.html. 13 July 2017. live.
  16. Web site: BJP known for dividing people for own benefit: Congress on chaos over Anandpal encounter Free Press Journal. www.freepressjournal.in. en-GB. 13 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181018122251/http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bjp-known-for-dividing-people-for-own-benefit-congress-on-chaos-over-anandpal-encounter/1102356. 18 October 2018. live.
  17. News: आनंदपाल एनकाउंटर: कुछ सवाल जिनके जवाब भी तलाशे जाने चाहिए. 14 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170714022214/http://rajasthanpatrika.patrika.com/story/opinion/question-raised-over-gangster-anand-pal-singh-encounter-2611535.html. 14 July 2017. live.
  18. Web site: 2017-07-13. Who is Anandpal Singh and why Rajputs in Rajasthan erupted in anger at his killing?. 2020-10-06. Hindustan Times. en.
  19. News: शादी में घोड़ी पर नहीं चढ़ने दिया गया था, ऐसे निकली थी इस गैंगस्टर की बरात. 26 June 2017. dainikbhaskar. 12 July 2017. en.
  20. News: Anandpal Singh: The gangster whose name struck terror in Shekhawati. 25 June 2017. hindustantimes.com/. 11 July 2017. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709140741/http://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/anandpal-singh-the-gangster-whose-name-struck-terror-in-shekhawati/story-iZxeiIaQvotTxNwPZmT3UM.html. 9 July 2017. live.
  21. News: गैंगस्टर की बेटी दुबई में करती है पढ़ाई, पिता के लिए बनाई थी फरारी की प्लानिंग. 25 June 2017. dainikbhaskar. 12 July 2017. en.
  22. News: Why Rajputs in Rajasthan have erupted in anger over gangster Anandpal's encounter killing . Salik Ahmed . 13 July 2017 . HindustanTimes . 14 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170714120356/http://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/why-rajputs-in-rajasthan-are-uniting-over-gangster-anandpal-s-encounter-killing/story-Tq14igKDQ7PgPbTF1ldVrL.html . 14 July 2017 . live .
  23. News: Two notorious fugitives arrested; AK-47, rifles seized – Times of India. The Times of India. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222074853/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Two-notorious-fugitives-arrested-AK-47-rifles-seized/articleshow/17236200.cms. 22 December 2017. live.
  24. News: Gangster Anand Pal Singh: A man who is making news even after his death. 30 June 2017. The Financial Express. 12 July 2017. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170720233623/http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/gangster-anand-pal-singh-a-man-who-is-making-news-even-after-his-death/742325/. 20 July 2017. live.
  25. News: लेडी DON के नाम से फेमस है ये लड़की, किडनेपिंग करने में एक्सपर्ट. 31 December 2015. dainikbhaskar. 12 July 2017. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170508173625/http://www.bhaskar.com/news/raj-sik-omc-lady-don-anuradha-choudhary-in-anandpal-case-5209817-pho.html. 8 May 2017. live.
  26. News: Shekhawati region turning into a den for extortion gangs – Times of India. The Times of India. 12 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20161029201411/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Shekhawati-region-turning-into-a-den-for-extortion-gangs/articleshow/47210024.cms. 29 October 2016. live.
  27. News: कभी बंदूक के साथ घूमती थी आनंदपाल गैंग की ये लेडी डॉन, अब है जेल में. 25 June 2017. dainikbhaskar. 12 July 2017. en.
  28. News: Rajasthan: Gangster escapes after attack on police vehicle. 4 September 2015. The Indian Express. 11 July 2017. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20171116030659/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jaipur/rajasthan-gangster-escapes-after-attack-on-police-vehicle/. 16 November 2017. live.
  29. News: The story behind Bollywood-style escape of dreaded Rajasthan gangster Anandpal. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628020456/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-story-behind-bollywood-style-escape-of-dreaded-rajasthan-gangster-anandpal/1/465317.html. 28 June 2017. live.
  30. News: राजस्थान : पुलिस वैन पर गोलियां चलाकर छुड़ा ले गए टॉप गैंगस्टर को. NDTVIndia. 12 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171116023231/https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/india/rajasthan-gangsters-freed-from-police-clutches-after-aides-fired-at-police-van-1213954. 16 November 2017. live.
  31. News: Shots Fired, Cops Drugged: Bollywood-Style Escape of Rajasthan Gangster. 4 September 2015. NDTV. Kumari Singh. Harsha. 25 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170703050914/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/criminal-escapes-while-on-way-to-court-in-rajasthan-1213948. 3 July 2017. live.
  32. News: Think tank, sharp shooter of Anand Pal Singh's gang arrested by ATS – Times of India. The Times of India. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170412020552/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Think-tank-sharp-shooter-of-Anand-Pal-Singhs-gang-arrested-by-ATS/articleshow/53587104.cms. 12 April 2017. live.
  33. Web site: 2006 में गोदारा हत्याकांड से चर्चा में आया था गैंगस्टर आनंदपाल – Gangster anandpal encountered by rajasthan police. www.patrika.com. en. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170630095359/http://www.patrika.com/news/miscellenous-india/gangster-anandpal-encountered-by-rajasthan-police-1608482/. 30 June 2017. live.
  34. News: इस गैंगस्टर के फार्म हाउस में है तहखाना, पिंजरे में कैद करता था लोगों को. 25 June 2017. dainikbhaskar. 12 July 2017. en.
  35. News: आनंदपाल सिंह पर बनेगी फ़िल्म. 9 July 2017. Rajasthan Aajkal. 23 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170723202049/http://rajasthanaajkal.com/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80-%E0%A5%9E%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2/. 23 July 2017. Hindi. dead.
  36. News: The siege of Saanvrad: How death of a gangster has turned a small Rajasthan village into a war zone. 12 July 2017. hindustantimes.com/. 12 July 2017. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170714115708/http://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/the-siege-of-saanvrad-how-death-of-a-gangster-has-turned-a-small-rajasthan-village-into-a-war-zone/story-Y9yOcVrl8OVfhXjxExOb0O.html. 14 July 2017. live.
  37. Web site: 'रंगबाज फिर से' Review: राजस्थान के उस गैंगस्टर की कहानी, जिसने राजनीति हिला दी. 2020-10-06. Aaj Tak. 23 December 2019 . hi.
  38. News: Philip. Jasmine. Pictures of Notorious Gangster Anand Pal Singh's Dead Body Surface Online; Here's The Reality of the Photos Going Viral. Dainik Bhaskar. 10 April 2017. 25 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180324162506/https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/TOP-anand-pal-singh-encounter-5571569-PHO.html?seq=3. 24 March 2018. live.
  39. News: सरेंडर करना चाहता है राजस्थान का खूंखार गैंगस्टर आनंदपाल सिंह Jurm. aajtak.intoday.in. 12 July 2017. hi. https://web.archive.org/web/20170720054724/http://aajtak.intoday.in/crime/story/the-dreaded-gangster-of-rajasthan-anand-pal-singh-wants-to-surrender-1-870843.html. 20 July 2017. live.
  40. News: Anandpal Singh, Rajasthan's most-wanted gangster killed in police encounter. 25 June 2017. 25 June 2017. Hindustan Times. Mukherjee. Deepa. https://web.archive.org/web/20170704095346/http://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/anandpal-singh-rajasthan-s-most-wanted-gangster-killed-in-police-encounter/story-apNrulyulM6U7eeznkfkGO.html. 4 July 2017. live.
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  44. News: इस गैंगस्टर के गांव में लगे हैं ऐसे बैनर-पोस्टर, नेताओं की एंट्री पर है रोक. 11 July 2017. dainikbhaskar. 12 July 2017. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121020/https://www.bhaskar.com/news/RAJ-SIK-OMC-no-entry-in-anandpal-village-5643098-PHO.html. 19 January 2019. live.
  45. Web site: 4 दिन से पड़ा है Anand Pal Singh का शव, Gangster की पत्नी से पुलिस ने कहा 24 घंटे में ले जाओ वरना... – Anand Pal Singh Gangster Rajasthan Patrika. www.patrika.com. en. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170703193915/http://www.patrika.com/news/agra/anand-pal-singh-gangster-rajasthan-patrika-1610828/. 3 July 2017. live.
  46. News: क्यों इस कुख्यात गैंगस्टर का एनकाउंटर वसुंधरा सरकार के लिए राहत भी लाया है और आफत भी. आकोदिया. अवधेश. सत्याग्रह. 11 July 2017. hi-IN.