Amitabh Thakur: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1968)}}
{{COI|date=March 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name       = Amitabh Thakur
| name               = Amitabh Thakur
|native_name = अमिताभ ठाकुर
| image             = Amitabh Thakur 2022.jpg
|image       =  
| image_size         =  
|image_size =
| caption           = Amitabh Thakur in 2022
|caption     =
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=y|1968|06|16}}
|birth_date =
| birth_place       = [[Muzaffarpur]], Bihar, India
|birth_place = [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Bihar]]
| alma_mater        = [[IIT Kanpur]], ([[Bachelor of Technology|BTech]]), [[IIM Lucknow]]
|death_date  =
| occupation        = Former [[Indian Police Service]] officer
|death_place =
| known_for          = *work on [[Open government|transparency]] and [[accountability]]
|other_names =
*[[Azad Adhikar Sena]]
|known_for  = Getting arrested, and not getting bail twice
| height            = 1.65 m
|occupation  = Vicharadhin Kaidi
| party              = Azad Adhikar Sena (2022)
|nationality =
| spouse            = {{marriage| Dr [[Nutan Thakur]]|1993}}
|alma_mater  =  
| children          = {{hlist|Tanaya Thakur | Aditya Thakur}}
|spouse      = [[Nutan Thakur]], ex [[BJP]] member
| father            = Tapeshwar Narayan Thakur
| mother            = Madhuri Bala
| relatives          = {{unbulleted list
|Avinash Kumar (brother)- [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] Officer, [[Jharkhand]] Cadre <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/ias-avinash-kumar-dedicated-poem-to-his-brother-ips-amitabh-thakur-over-his-forced-retirement-1228364-2021-03-26|title=समय से पहले रिटायर किए गए IPS अमिताभ ठाकुर के लिए भाई IAS अविनाश कुमार ने शेयर की कविता |trans-title=Brother IAS Avinash Kumar shared a poem for prematurely retired IPS Amitabh Thakur.|work=Aaj Tak|date=26 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/jharkhand/ranchi/ias-avinash-kumar-brother-of-ips-amitabh-thakur-who-forcibly-retired-writes-a-poen-on-facebook/articleshow/81692796.cms|title=Jharkhand News: जबरन रिटायर किए गए IPS अमिताभ ठाकुर के भाई IAS अविनाश कुमार ने लिखी मार्मिक कविता-'मां अगले जन्म में फिर...'|work=Rediff|trans-title=IAS Avinash Kumar, brother of forcibly retired IPS Amitabh Thakur, wrote a touching poem - 'Mother will come again in the next life...'}}</ref>}}
| website            = {{URL|http://adhikarsena.in|Party website}}, {{URL|http://adhikarpatrika.in|Party mouthpiece}}
| module4            =
}}
}}
'''Amitabh Thakur''', in jail since August 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/lucknow/lucknow-former-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-arrested-for-abetting-rape-survivors-suicide/articleshow/85705782.cms|title = Uttar Pradesh: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested for abetting rape survivor's suicide &#124; Lucknow News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> is a former 1992 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre [[Indian Police Service]] (IPS) officer, ex-[[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) member<ref name="indiatvnews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/suspended-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-to-join-rss-34071.html|title=Suspended IPS officer Amitabh Thakur to join RSS|date=29 November 2015}}</ref> and a social activist who is married to an ex-[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) member.<ref name="indiatvnews.com"/> He has served as a [[Superintendent of police (India)|Superintendent of Police]] (SP) in ten districts of [[Uttar Pradesh]], and as an Inspector General (IG) in the state's Civil Defence department.
 
'''Amitabh Thakur''' (born 16 June 1968) is an ex-[[Indian Police Service]] (IPS) officer and a political activist. He was forced to undergo compulsory retirement in March 2021. During service, Amitabh was known for his strict adherence to rules and regulations as well as for his work in the field of administrative accountability.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/ips-amitabh-thakur-deemed-not-fit-for-service-forced-to-retire|title=IPS Amitabh Thakur Deemed 'Not Fit' for Service, Forced to Retire|work=The Quint|date=23 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://firstindia.co.in/news/uttar-pradesh/amitabh-thakur-given-premature-retirement|title=Amitabh Thakur given premature retirement|work=First India}}</ref>
 
Since retirement, Amitabh works as a social and political activist. He is currently the President of [[Azad Adhikar Sena]]. Azad Adhikar Sena was initiated by him, his wife Dr [[Nutan Thakur]], and others.<ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/uttar-pradesh-ex-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-names-new-party-adhikar-sena-but-suggestions-welcome/20210827.htm|title=UP's ex-IPS officer names new party Adhikar Sena, but suggestions welcome|work=Rediff}}</ref><ref name="ETV Bharat">{{cite web|url=https://www.etvbharat.com/english/national/bharat/retired-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-floats-political-party-adhikar-sena/na20220625163330009009160|title=Retired IPS officer Amitabh Thakur floats political party 'Adhikar Sena'|work=ETV Bharat|date=25 June 2022 }}</ref><ref name="Adhikar Sena">{{cite web|url=https://adhikarsena.in/|title=Adhikar Sena|work=Official website}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==


IPS Amitabh Thakur was born at [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Bihar]] in [[bhumihar brahmin]] family .<ref name="HT_stranger_2015">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-top-cop-amitbah-thakur-is-no-stranger-to-controversies/article1-1369008.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714112122/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-top-cop-amitbah-thakur-is-no-stranger-to-controversies/article1-1369008.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2015 |title=Suspended UP top cop Amitabh Thakur no stranger to controversies |date=2015-07-14 |newspaper=Hindustan Times }}</ref> He was brought up in Bokaro and present-day [[Jharkhand]] (then a part of Bihar), a meticulous IPS officer, also holding a B. Tech degree in mechanical engineering from [[IIT Kanpur]].<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/><ref name="IT_suffered">[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/gallery/bureaucrats-who-suffered-at-the-hands-of-political-class/6/8008.html In pics: Bureaucrats who suffered at the hands of political class by being repeatedly transferred or denied plum posting], India Today</ref> He also has a FPM (PhD) Degree from [[IIM Lucknow]].
Amitabh Thakur was born on 16 June 1968 at [[Muzaffarpur]], Bihar to Tapeshwar Narain Thakur, an Electrical Engineer and Madhuri Bala, a lecturer in Hindi.<ref name="HT_stranger_2015">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-top-cop-amitbah-thakur-is-no-stranger-to-controversies/article1-1369008.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714112122/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-top-cop-amitbah-thakur-is-no-stranger-to-controversies/article1-1369008.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2015 |title=Suspended UP top cop Amitabh Thakur no stranger to controversies |date=14 July 2015 |newspaper=Hindustan Times }}</ref> He was brought up in [[Bokaro Steel City]] in present-day [[Jharkhand]] (then a part of [[Bihar]]), where he got his Matriculation and Intermediate degree from [[Kendriya Vidyalaya]] No. 1, [[Bokaro Steel City]], in 1983 and 1985 respectively. He enrolled in [[IIT Kanpur]] in 1985, where he obtained his [[BTech]] degree in mechanical engineering in 1989.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/><ref name="IT_suffered">{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/photo/bureaucrats-who-suffered-at-the-hands-of-political-class-368487-2012-10-21 |title=In pics: Bureaucrats who suffered at the hands of political class by being repeatedly transferred or denied plum posting |work=India Today}}</ref>


== Police career ==
== Police career ==


Thakur began his police career in 1992.<ref name="IT_suffered"/> He has worked in ten districts of Uttar Pradesh, as a Superintendent of Police (SP). He has worked in multiple departments including Intelligence, Vigilance, Anti-Corruption and Police Training Academy.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/> Thakur was directly promoted from the rank of SP to Inspector General (IG), because his promotion as DIG had been held due to framed inquiries against him.<ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>
Amitabh was commissioned in the [[Indian Police Service]] in 1992.<ref name="IT_suffered"/> His initial field training commenced in Kanpur district, followed by his posting in Gorakhpur; during his stint at the latter, he frequently came at loggerheads with [[Yogi Adityanath]], who eventually became the [[Chief Minister]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. He worked as the [[Superintendent of police (India)|Superintendent of Police]] (SP) in around 10 districts of UP, including Pithoragarh, Lalitpur, Deoria, Gonda, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Firozabad, Ballia and Maharajganj. He also worked in multiple departments including Intelligence, Vigilance, Anti-Corruption and Police Training Academy.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/><ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>
 
===Basic Principles of Policing {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}===


=== 2005 suspension ===
All through his career, Amitabh Thakur worked for the cause of [[Open government#Transparency|transparency]] and [[accountability]] of the system. He also worked for people friendly policing, giving highest importance to grievance redressal of the poor and the downtrodden.


In 2005, Amitabh was suspended while posted as the superintendent of police (SP) at Gonda. He was accused of issuing an arms licence to criminals. He defended himself arguing that he only cleared the files that had been already vetted by other officers and the district administration.<ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>
In this process, he also got deeply engaged in internal police reforms. He particularly worked for betterment of the service conditions of subordinate police officers. He advocated for better internal social and functional environment in police. He also advocated reduction of [[power distance]] in police system and closer interaction between superior and subordinate rank police officers. For all this, he strongly advocated for creation of Subordinate officers Police Associations.


=== 2006 suspension ===
=== Important Events in Police career ===


In 2006, some criminals kidnapped a jeweller from Padam town, which comes under the purview of [[Jasrana]] police station. Accusing the police of slackness, the locals organised a protest and demanded action against the officer in-charge. Thakur was the SP of Ferozabad at that time. In response to the protests, he transferred the Jasrana police station in-charge VK Trivedi, for dereliction of duty. [[Ramveer Singh|Ramvir Singh Yadav]], a Samajwadi Party leader and the [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]], asked Thakur to move Trivedi back to Jasrana. However, Thakur refused to oblige.<ref name="HT_Ferozabad_2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/nm14/mla-aides-bash-up-ferozabad-sp/article1-128879.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715194659/http://www.hindustantimes.com/nm14/mla-aides-bash-up-ferozabad-sp/article1-128879.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2015 |title=MLA, aides bash up Ferozabad SP |date=2006-07-28 |newspaper=Hindustan Times }}</ref>
Amitabh Thakur had many clashes with different political and administrative masters, because of his strict and non-compromising approach.


Some days later, Thakur came to Yadav's native village Paidath, to review the security arrangements for a state minister's visit to the village. There, Yadav and his supporters allegedly threatened and manhandled him over Trivedi's transfer. Seven constables deputed in the security of Yadav also supported Yadav, and threatened Thakur's staff. Outnumbered, Thakur and his staff fled and stopped at the [[Eka, Firozabad|Eka]] police station to lodge an [[First Information Report|FIR]]. The officer in-charge there initially refused to lodge an FIR against the MLA, and relented after "much persuasion".<ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>
===Clash with Mulayam Singh Yadav government===


Ramvir was cleared of any wrongdoing, after the witnesses against him backtracked.<ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>
In 2006, Amitabh was posted as SP of [[Firozabad]] district. There he refused to obey some of the wrongful dictates of then [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] [[Ramveer Singh|Ramvir Singh Yadav]]. Ramveer Singh was a close relative of then [[Chief Minister]], [[Uttar Pradesh|UP]] and [[Samajwadi Party]] Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. This finally led to an incidence of alleged assault and manhandling with Amitabh Thakur. Mulayam Singh Yadav clearly told Amitabh not to register any case in this matter. Despite the oral order, Thakur got a [[First Information Report]] (FIR) registered in this matter at [[Eka, Firozabad|Eka]] police station. This led to Thakur extensively suffering at the hands of Mulayam Singh Government.<ref name="HT_Ferozabad_2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/nm14/mla-aides-bash-up-ferozabad-sp/article1-128879.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715194659/http://www.hindustantimes.com/nm14/mla-aides-bash-up-ferozabad-sp/article1-128879.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2015 |title=MLA, aides bash up Ferozabad SP |date=28 July 2006 |newspaper=Hindustan Times }}</ref><ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>


=== 2008 case against the state government ===
===Clash with Mayawati government===


In April 2008, Thakur was selected for the four-year [[Fellow Programme in Management]] (FPM) at [[IIM Lucknow]]. Between April 2008 and March 2009, he sent three letters to the state government's Principal Secretary (Home) and the police DGP to grant him a study leave for the course. After failing to receive a response, he approached the Lucknow Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal in April 2009. The Tribunal ordered the state government to make a decision on his leave request within two weeks. When the government still didn't respond to his application, he filed a contempt petition with the Tribunal and also moved the High Court against the government. In May 2009, the government issued a letter, rejecting Thakur's request for study leave, on the basis that he had not sought permission from his immediate supervisor before opting for the course. The letter stated that the government would be able to grant him a leave for a maximum of one year. Thakur then again approached the Tribunal. Subsequently, the government sanctioned him a two-year leave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/ips-officer-gets-two-years--study-leave/476527/|title=IPS officer gets two years study leave |work=Indian Express }}</ref>
Amitabh Thakur had another altercation with Government in 2008–09. At that time, [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] (BSP) suprempo [[Mayawati]] was the Chief Minister. Amitabh was selected for the four-year [[Fellow Programme in Management]] (FPM) at [[IIM Lucknow]] through the prestigious [[Common Admission Test]] ([[Common Admission Test|CAT]]). He approached the Government to grant him a study leave for the course. The Home Department refused the study leave merely to harass Amitabh. Amitabh approached the Lucknow Bench of [[Central Administrative Tribunal]] and got Extraordinary leave (i.e., leave without salary) sanctioned. He joined IIM Lucknow and stayed there for 02 years without any salary. He completed his FPM course and came back to service. Later he won his study leave case from the [[Central Administrative Tribunal]] and [[Allahabad High Court]]. Finally the State Government was forced to give his the entire salary for this period in June 2012. This study leave case is regarded as an important struggle in service matter issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/ips-officer-gets-two-years--study-leave/476527/|title=IPS officer gets two years study leave |work=The Indian Express }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/hc-directs-up-chief-secretary-to-probe-amp39harassmentamp39-of-ips-officer/articleshow/10917038.cms|title=HC directs UP chief secretary to probe harassment|work=[[The Times of India]] |date=29 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/reconsider-ips-officers-plea-for-study-leave/articleshow/6153024.cms|title=Reconsider IPS officer's plea for study leave|work=The Times of India|date=11 July 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/kejriwal-exit-affair-allow-government-servants-who-have-resigned-to-leave-quickly-respectfully/19835.html|title=Kejriwal exit affair: Allow government servants who have resigned to leave quickly, respectfully|work=Money Life }}</ref>


=== 2015 suspension ===
===Clash with Akhilesh Yadav government===


In December 2014, Nutan Thakur filed a complaint against the state's mining minister [[Gayatri Prasad Prajapati]], before the [[Lok Ayukta]] (anti-corruption ombudsman).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rape-allegations-a-concocted-story-says-amitabh-thakur/20150712.htm|title="Rape allegations a 'concocted' story," says Amitabh Thakur|date=12 July 2015|work=Rediff}}</ref> She alleged that the minister was involved in illegal mining activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-suspension-IPS-officer-Amitabh-Thakur-says-will-continue-fight-against-Mulayam/articleshow/48073640.cms|title=After suspension, IPS officer Amitabh Thakur says will continue fight against Mulayam|work=The Times of India}}</ref> Thakur approached the Central Government, seeking protection for his family.<ref name="NDTV_sudhar_2015"/>
Amitabh Thakur had his third set of direct altercations with Government in 2014–2017. [[Samajwadi Party]] leader Akhilesh Yadav was the Chief Minister at that time. In December 2014, Thakur's wife Dr Nutan Thakur filed a complaint against the state's mining minister [[Gayatri Prasad Prajapati]], before the [[Lok Ayukta]] (anti-corruption ombudsman).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rape-allegations-a-concocted-story-says-amitabh-thakur/20150712.htm|title="Rape allegations a 'concocted' story," says Amitabh Thakur|date=12 July 2015|work=Rediff}}</ref> She alleged that the minister was involved in illegal mining activities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-suspension-IPS-officer-Amitabh-Thakur-says-will-continue-fight-against-Mulayam/articleshow/48073640.cms|title=After suspension, IPS officer Amitabh Thakur says will continue fight against Mulayam|work=The Times of India|date=14 July 2015 }}</ref> Thakur approached the Central Government, seeking protection for his family.<ref name="NDTV_sudhar_2015"/>


In January 2015, a woman filed a rape case against Amitabh Thakur, while he was posted as IG (Civil Defence). The woman alleged that Nutan Thakur promised her assistance in getting a government job, and asked her to come to the Thakurs' residence in Gomti Nagar, where she was allegedly raped. The Thakurs dismissed the complaint as bogus, saying that it had been filed and framed in response to Nutan's complaint against the minister, and that the complainant was related to a Samajwadi Party leader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-woman-allege-rape-by-igp-in-ghaziabad-police-official-s-wife-refute-charge-2054081|title=Woman allege rape by IGP in Ghaziabad, police official's wife refute charge|work=dna}}</ref>
In January 2015, a woman filed a rape case against Amitabh Thakur, while he was posted as IG (Civil Defence). The woman alleged that Nutan Thakur promised her assistance in getting a government job, and asked her to come to the Thakurs' residence in Gomti Nagar, where she was allegedly raped. The Thakurs dismissed the complaint as bogus, saying that it had been filed and framed in response to Nutan's complaint against the minister, and that the complainant was related to a Samajwadi Party leader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-woman-allege-rape-by-igp-in-ghaziabad-police-official-s-wife-refute-charge-2054081|title=Woman allege rape by IGP in Ghaziabad, police official's wife refute charge|work=dna}}</ref>


In May 2015, an RTI activist Sanjay Sharma alleged that Thakur had amassed huge wealth, and sought a probe into the matter. He wrote to the state's Governor [[Ram Naik]], alleging that Thakur and his wife had ten properties in their names in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These properties included a High Income Group (HIG) house in Viramkhand in Gomti Nagar, a plot in Khargapur, a 5000 square feet plot in Ujriyon, a house in Mujaffarpur, a house in Patna, a house in Sitamarhi, and agricultural land in Bihar. Sharma claimed that according to the couple's official records, they earned about {{INR}} 288,000 lakh annually through these properties. He further alleged that after people raised questions about his properties, Thakur modified his statement of assets to conceal 8 of these properties. Governor Naik directed Thakur's superior, the Director General of Civil defense, to probe these allegations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/lucknow/naik-directs-dg-to-probe-into-amitabh-on-having-hidden-huge-wealth.html|title=Naik directs DG to probe into Amitabh on having hidden huge wealth|work=dailypioneer.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/uttar-pradesh/lucknow/rti-activist-seeks-probe-into-amitabh-thakurs-huge-wealth-769517.html|title=RTI activist seeks probe into Amitabh Thakur's 'huge wealth'|author=click to open|work=News18}}</ref> Thakur admitted that he and his wife held these properties, some of them ancestral. But he denied any wrongdoing or attempts to conceal these properties. He stated that he was open to "any kind of vigilance or CBI inquiry" into his properties.<ref name="CatchNews_tell_2015"/>
On 10 July 2015, Amitabh got a phone call from  Mulayam Singh Yadav. He alleged that Yadav had threatened him over the phone call. He released the audio of the phone call, in which Yadav is allegedly heard saying certain sentences of threatening nature:<ref name="NDTV_sudhar_2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sudhar-jaaiye-mulayam-singh-yadav-allegedly-told-police-officer-amitabh-thakur-781203|title='Sudhar Jaaiye,' Mulayam Singh Yadav Told Police Officer Amitabh Thakur|author=Deepshikha Ghosh|date=14 July 2015|work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref name="IE_files_2015">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/mulayam-threatened-me-says-ips-officer-releases-audio-clip/|title=IG-rank officer files police complaint against Mulayam Singh|date=12 July 2015|work=The Indian Express}}</ref> Thakur alleged that Mulayam Singh was unhappy about the complaint lodged by his wife Nutan against the state minister [[Gayatri Prasad Prajapati]].<ref name="IE_files_2015"/>
 
On 11 July 2015, Amitabh presented a complaint before Hazratganj police station for registration of FIR against Mulayam Singh as regards the alleged phone threat. The Police refused to register. But in the same night of 11 July, a rape case was registered against Amitabh and his wife Nutan by the Lucknow police at Gomtinagar police station. This FIR was based on the same old complaint presented in January.<ref name="NDTV_sudhar_2015"/> Two days later, on 13 July, the state government suspended Thakur, accusing him of "indiscipline, holding anti-government views, dereliction of duty and violating service rules". The government also alleged that he had misused government resources and given incomplete information about his assets in his annual declaration of property, which the government hasn't been able to prove yet.<ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>
 
This was followed by rapid State action against Amitabh. On 13 July, Thakur was suspended. Almost immediately after this, Vigilance enquiry was initiated against him as regards alleged disproportionate assets An FIR for Disproportionate Assets was also registered against him at Thana Gomtinagar in September 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/suspended-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-gets-moral-support-from-ashok-khemka-sanjiv-chaturvedi/articleshow/48133816.cms?from=mdr|title=Suspended IPS officer Amitabh Thakur gets 'moral support' from Ashok Khemka, Sanjiv Chaturvedi|work=The Economic Times|date=19 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/up-ips-officer-amitabh-thakurs-suspension-sets-off-political-storm/articleshow/48069310.cms?from=mdr|title=AUP IPS officer Amitabh Thakur's suspension sets off political storm|agency=Press Trust of India|date=14 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDJthvWJhT4|title=IPS Amitabh Thakur LIVE: Terms his suspension as a return gift from Mulayam|work=[[ABP News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-accuses-vigilance-officers-of-humiliating-him-wife/articleshow/49872726.cms|title=Amitabh Thakur given premature retirement|work=First India|date=21 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://firstindia.co.in/news/uttar-pradesh/amitabh-thakur-given-premature-retirement|title=Amitabh Thakur accuses vigilance officers of humiliating him and wife|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/house-of-ias-officer-amitabh-thakur-who-took-on-sp-govt-in-up-searched-267867-2015-10-13|title=House of IAS officer, who took on SP govt in UP, searched|work=[[India Today]]|date=13 October 2015 }}</ref>
 
Later Investigations were held in both the rape case and Disproportionate assets case. During investigation, both the charges proved to be incorrect. In the rape case, the Police not only exonerated Thakur, it also charged the complainant of registering a false FIR. Similarly, in the Disproportionate assets case, the investigating agency concluded that the charges were incorrect and Thakur had property much lesser than his known sources of income.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/rape-charges-against-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-wife-found-false/states/news/816136.html|title=Rape charges against Amitabh Thakur, wife found false|work=[[United News of India|UNI]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/police-give-clean-chit-to-amitabh-nutan-thakur-in-rape-case/articleshow/57742430.cms|title=Police give clean chit to Amitabh, Nutan Thakur in rape case|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-found-not-guilty-in-disproportionate-assets-case-1916193#:~:text=The%20then%20Samajwadi%20Party%20(SP,Akhilesh%20Yadav's%20father%20Mulayam%20Singh.&text=The%20Economic%20Offences%20Wing%20found,in%20a%20disproportionate%20assets%20case.|title=IPS Officer Amitabh Thakur Found Not Guilty In Corruption Case|publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/story-ips-amitabh-thakur-acquitted-in-property-case-over-income-in-uttar-pradesh-2197052.html|title=आय से अधिक संपत्ति के मामले में आईपीएस अमिताभ ठाकुर निर्दोष पाए गए|work=[[Hindustan]]}}</ref>
 
===Clash with Yogi Adityanath government===


On 11 July 2015, Thakur lodged an FIR against the state's former Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]]. He alleged that Yadav had threatened him over a phone call. He released the audio of the phone call, in which Yadav is allegedly heard saying the following sentences:<ref name="NDTV_sudhar_2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sudhar-jaaiye-mulayam-singh-yadav-allegedly-told-police-officer-amitabh-thakur-781203|title='Sudhar Jaaiye,' Mulayam Singh Yadav Told Police Officer Amitabh Thakur|author=Deepshikha Ghosh|date=14 July 2015|work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref name="IE_files_2015">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/mulayam-threatened-me-says-ips-officer-releases-audio-clip/|title=IG-rank officer files police complaint against Mulayam Singh|date=12 July 2015|work=The Indian Express}}</ref>
Amitabh Thakur also had direct altercations during the rule of [[Bhartiya Janata Party]] Chief Minister [[Yogi Adityanath]]. There was a history of previous conflicts between the two. Amitabh had previously been posted in and around Yogi Adityanath's place of activity, [[Gorakhpur]]. The two had many altercations during Thakur's posting as [[Superintendent of Police]] in [[Deoria district|Deoria]], [[Basti district|Basti]] and [[Maharajganj district|Maharajganj]] districts. In 2007 Yogi Adityanath was arrested on serious charges related with hate speech and disturbance of law and order. This had led to riots in and around Gorakhpur, including in Maharajganj. [[Hindu Yuva Vahini]] of Yogi Adityanath was generally believed to be the force behind these law and order disturbances. Amitabh had taken extremely stern action during these riots. After coming out of jail, Yogi Adityanath had threatened Thakur of dire consequences. There was a 1999 murder case against Yogi Adityanath related with Pachrukhiya in Maharajganj.  A Policeman had also been murdered in this case. Yogi Adityanath was a named accused in this case. The case had long been pending with CID. It got transferred to Maharajganj at the same time when Amitabh Thakur was SP Maharajganj. The moment Amitabh initiated its enquiry, he got immense pressure from various powerful corners. He continued his investigation but got transferred midway.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-45659849|title=हत्या का 19 साल पुराना मामला जिससे परेशान हैं योगी आदित्यनाथ|work=[[BBC Hindi]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/lucknow/court-issued-a-notice-to-cm-yogi-in-a-nineteen-years-old-murder-case|title=19 साल पुराने हत्याकांड में सीएम योगी को नोटिस, 27 अक्टूबर को होगी सुनवाई|work=[[Amar Ujala]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/news/full-story-of-pachrukhia-police-constable-murder-case-129761762.html|title=कहानी महाराजगंज के कब्रिस्तान में लगे उस पीपल की, जिसे काटा गया तो योगी की गाड़ी पर पत्थर चला और सिपाही का मर्डर हो गया|work=[[Dainik Bhaskar]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/835416/they-paid-a-price-for-adityanaths-hate-speech-and-now-have-fallen-silent|title=They paid a price for Adityanath's hate speech – and now have fallen silent|work=Scroll|date=29 April 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abplive.com/news/states/gorakhpur-cm-yogi-adityanath-gets-relief-in-pachrukhiya-murder-case-high-court-rejects-revision-1167383|title=गोरखपुर: चर्चित पचरुखिया कांड में सीएम योगी आदित्‍यनाथ को बड़ी राहत, हाईकोर्ट ने खारिज की याचिका|work=[[ABP News]]|date=17 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/gorakhpur/news/the-incident-of-2007-when-yogi-was-arrested-on-the-instructions-of-mulayam-singh-129891823.html|title=2007 की वो घटना, जब मुलायम सिंह के निर्देश पर योगी को गिरफ्तार किया गया|work=[[Dainik Bhaskar]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ndtv.in/india/how-yogi-adityanaths-arrest-changed-him-1671541|title=एक गिरफ्तारी ने कैसे बदल दिया फायरब्रांड नेता योगी आदित्यनाथ को|publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>


* "You were very insolent...Everyone took you inside the school and wanted to beat you. I was the one who saved you." (referring to the incident in which Thakur was manhandled by Jasrana MLA Ramveer Singh Yadav)
=== Compulsory Retirement ===
* "There could be more dire consequences, I am telling you. I went to Patna where your family members requested me to help and save you."
* "I am telling you, aap sudhar jaaiye (mend your ways). This is all I want to say."


Thakur alleged that Mulayam Singh was unhappy about the complaint lodged by his wife Nutan against the state minister [[Gayatri Prasad Prajapati]].<ref name="IE_files_2015"/>
It was with this background that Yogi Adityanath government recommended compulsory retirement of Amitabh Thakur and Amitabh was given compulsory retirement in March 2021, even though seven years of his tenure were outstanding. When Amitabh sought information about this retirement from [[Ministry of Home Affairs]], it denied the information. Amitabh has challenged this retirement in [[Central Administrative Tribunal]] Lucknow bench, where the matter is currently pending.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/up-government-refused-to-handover-the-compulsory-retirement-documents-to-former-ips-amitabh-thakur-1924909|title=पूर्व IPS अफसर अमिताभ ठाकुर को नहीं मिले रिटायरमेंट से जुड़े दस्तावेज, यूपी सरकार ने दिया ये तर्क/|work=[[ABP News]]|date=9 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hindi.thequint.com/news/india/mha-denies-information-on-compulsory-retirement-of-up-ex-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur|title=अमिताभ ठाकुर को MHA ने 'जबरन रिटायर' की जानकारी देने से किया इनकार|work=[[The Quint]]|date=3 May 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/lucknow-city-ex-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-challenges-his-compulsory-retirement-from-ips-cadre-filed-case-in-cat-lucknow-bench-21634575.html|title=
जबरिया रिटायरमेंट के आदेश को पूर्व IPS अफसर अमिताभ ठाकुर ने CAT लखनऊ बेंच में दी चुनौती|work=[[Dainik Jagran]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/story-ips-amitabh-thakur-challenges-mandatory-retirement-in-cat-4024708.html|title=पूर्व IPS अफसर अमिताभ ठाकुर |work=[[Hindustan]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/uttar-pradesh/story/amitabh-thakur-compulsory-retirement-case-cat-center-up-government-1273582-2021-06-16/|title=अमिताभ ठाकुर के 'जबरिया रिटायरमेंट' पर कैट ने केंद्र और UP सरकार से मांगा जवाब|work=[[Aaj Tak]]|date=16 June 2021 }}</ref>


On 12 July, a rape case was registered against Thakur by the Lucknow police, based on the complaint filed in January.<ref name="NDTV_sudhar_2015"/> On 13 July, the state government suspended Thakur, accusing him of "indiscipline, holding anti-government views, dereliction of duty and violating service rules". The government also alleged that he had misused government resources and given incomplete information about his assets in his annual declaration of property, which the government hasn't been able to prove yet.<ref name="HT_stranger_2015"/>
== Arrest ==


=== Arest ===
In August 2021, Amitabh announced that he would be contesting forthcoming Assembly elections against Yogi Adityanath. Almost immediately after this, he was arrested in August 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/lucknow-former-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-arrested-for-abetting-rape-survivors-suicide/articleshow/85705782.cms|title = Uttar Pradesh: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested for abetting rape survivor's suicide &#124; Lucknow News|website = [[The Times of India]]| date=28 August 2021 }}</ref> He was granted bail in March 2022 and came out of jail on bail almost immediately after the Assembly result.
He was arrested in August 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/lucknow/lucknow-former-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-arrested-for-abetting-rape-survivors-suicide/articleshow/85705782.cms|title = Uttar Pradesh: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested for abetting rape survivor's suicide &#124; Lucknow News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and his bail was rejected twice, in October 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/bail-plea-of-ex-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-rejected-101634235051862.html|title=Bail plea of ex-IPS officer Amitabh Thakur rejected|date=14 October 2021}}</ref> and in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/lucknow-city-death-by-self-immolation-case-second-bail-application-of-former-ips-amitabh-thakur-also-rejected-22267020.html|title = आत्मदाह से मौत मामला, पूर्व आइपीएस अमिताभ ठाकुर की दूसरी जमानत अर्जी भी खारिज}}</ref>
 
In December 2025,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/1999-deoria-fraud-case-former-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-arrested-for-securing-industrial-plot-using-forged-documents/articleshow/125885653.cms|title=1999 Deoria fraud case: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested for securing industrial plot using forged documents|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref> the Lucknow police commissionerate arrested Amitabh Thakur for allegedly abusing his position as superintendent of police of Deoria in 1999 to fraudulently secure an industrial plot in the name of his wife through forged identities and fabricated documents. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/land-fraud-case-former-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-arrested-in-up-sent-tojudicial-custody/article70381068.ece|title = Land fraud case: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested in U.P., sent to judicial custody|website = [[The Hindu]]| date=11 December 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/1999-deoria-fraud-case-former-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-arrested-for-securing-industrial-plot-using-forged-documents/articleshow/125885653.cms|title = 1999 deoria fraud case-former ips officer amitabh thakur arrested|website = [[The Times of India]]| date=19 December 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/up-ex-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-held-for-forgery-to-secure-industrial-plot-in-1999-10414009/|title =UP ex-IPS officer Amitabh Thakur held for ‘forgery’ to secure industrial plot in 1999|website = [[The Indian Express]]| date=11 December 2025 }}</ref>
 
He got bail in this matter on 19 January and came out of Deoria Jail on 11 February 2026. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailypioneer.com/news/former-ips-officer-arrested-for-fraudulently-securing-land-released-on-bail|title =Former IPS officer, arrested for fraudulently securing land, released on bail|website = [[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]]| date=13 February 2026 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2026/02/12/former-ips-officer-arrested-for-fraudulently-securing-land-released-on-bail.html|title =Former IPS officer arrested for fraudulently securing land released on bail|website = [[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]| date=12 February 2026 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/deoria-former-ips-amitabh-thakur-released-from-deoria-jail-40139566.html|title =पूर्व IPS अमिताभ ठाकुर देवरिया जेल से रिहा, धोखाधड़ी मामले में मिली जमानत|website = [[Dainik Jagran]]| date=12 February 2026 }}</ref>


== Activism ==
== Activism ==


=== Anti-corruption ===
All through his career as a Police officer, Amitabh Thakur remained a pro-poor, activism oriented person, which often resulted in his direct confrontations with various Governments. He was the founder of the [[National RTI Forum]], a [[grassroots]] anti-corruption organisation in India that advocates for government openness under the terms of the 2005 [[Right to Information Act]].<ref>{{Cite journal| title = Jethwa, two other chosen for RTI gallantry awards| journal = [[The Hindu]]| date = 2 September 2010| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/article609546.ece| access-date = 7 January 2011}}</ref> The organisation is based in [[Lucknow]]. He had also formed Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS), a human rights organisation.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/> He recorded the [[dying declaration]] of journalist [[Murder of Jagendra Singh|Jagendra Singh]]; the video allegedly indicated the involvement of a state's minister in Singh's death.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/> In January 2011, Amitabh filed an FIR against Facebook and some of its users, for offensive comments against [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in a Facebook group called "I hate Gandhi".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/news/case-against-facebook-for-hosting-i-hate-gandhi-group-news-national-lbzouhaebad.html|title=Case against Facebook for hosting 'I hate Gandhi' group|website=sify.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129012804/http://www.sify.com/news/case-against-facebook-for-hosting-i-hate-gandhi-group-news-national-lbzouhaebad.html|archive-date=2011-01-29}}</ref> Facebook banned the group a couple of days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-facebook-bans-online-hate-group-on-mahatma-gandhi-1499474|title=Facebook bans online hate group on Mahatma Gandhi|work=dna}}</ref> Amitabh Thakur and his wife Nutan have filed over 500 [[Right to Information Act|RTI]] applications and 150 [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigations]] (PILs).<ref name="News18_meet_2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/uttar-pradesh/lucknow/meet-amitabh-thakur-the-activist-cop-who-stood-up-to-mighty-mulayam-768835.html|title=Meet Amitabh Thakur, the 'activist' cop who stood up to 'mighty Mulayam'|author=click to open|work=News18}}</ref> A number of PILs filed by the Thakurs resulted in action.


Amitabh Thakur is the founder of the [[National RTI Forum]], a [[grassroots]] anti-[[political corruption|corruption]] organisation in [[India]] that advocates for government openness under the terms of the 2005 [[Right to Information Act]].<ref>{{Cite journal| title = Jethwa, two other chosen for RTI gallantry awards| journal = [[The Hindu]]| date = 2 September 2010| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/article609546.ece| access-date = 7 January 2011}}</ref> The organisation is based in [[Lucknow]].
== As a writer ==
 
=== Human rights ===


Thakur had formed Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS), a human rights organisation.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/> He recorded the [[dying declaration]] of journalist [[Murder of Jagendra Singh|Jagendra Singh]]; the video allegedly indicated the involvement of a state's minister in Singh's death.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/>
Thakur has authored a story book in Hindi, ''Dhal Gayi Raat'', and has compiled two collections of poems ''Jaisa Maine Jana Hai'' and ''Aatmadarsh''.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/> His book ''Fresh Brew – Chronicles of Business and Freedom'', co-authored with Amit Haralalka, traces the careers of 25 IIM Lucknow alumni who turned entrepreneurs. His book ''Cyber Crime (Hindi साइबर क्राइम)'' co-authored with S H Zaidi is possibly the first book on Cyber Crime in Hindi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110403/spectrum/book6.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune – Books |work=The Express Tribune }}</ref>


=== Other issues ===
==Azad Adhikar Sena==


In January 2011, Thakur filed an FIR against [[Facebook]] and some of its users, for offensive comments against [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in a Facebook group called "I hate Gandhi".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110129012804/http://www.sify.com/news/case-against-facebook-for-hosting-i-hate-gandhi-group-news-national-lbzouhaebad.html Case against Facebook for hosting 'I hate Gandhi' group]</ref> Facebook banned the group a couple of days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-facebook-bans-online-hate-group-on-mahatma-gandhi-1499474|title=Facebook bans online hate group on Mahatma Gandhi|work=dna}}</ref>
Azad Adhikar Sena (आजाद अधिकार सेना in Hindi), also known by its short name AAS (आस in Hindi), is an unregistered political party in India, which is presently undergoing the process of registration before the [[Election Commission of India]].<ref name="Adhikar Sena"/> It was initiated by Amitabh Thakur, his wife Dr [[Nutan Thakur]] and others in August 2021.<ref name="Rediff"/> The process stopped after Amitabh's arrest. Its formation was resumedafter his release from Jail in March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/rape-victim-s-suicide-hc-grants-bail-to-former-ips-officer-amitabh-thakur-101647269232903.html|title=Rape victim's suicide: HC grants bail to former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur|work=Hindustan Times|date=14 March 2022 }}</ref>


=== PILs ===
In June 2022, the formation of Adhikar Sena was again announced.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 2022 |title=Political Party 'Adhikar Sena' formed by Ex- IPS |url=https://jubileepost.in/en/political-party-adhikar-sena-formed-by-ex-ips/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Jubilee Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="ETV Bharat"/>  He said the primary aim of Adhikar Sena is to instill the feeling and concept that all the powers (Adhikar) and authorities lie in the citizen of India, as bestowed through the Constitution of India and various laws of the Land.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adhikarsena.in/about-us/|title=About Adhikar Sena|date=22 July 2022 }}</ref> Currently, the Party is in process of getting registered in Election Commission of India.


Amitabh Thakur and his wife Nutan have filed over 500 [[Right to Information Act|RTI]] applications and 150 [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigations]] (PILs).<ref name="News18_meet_2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/uttar-pradesh/lucknow/meet-amitabh-thakur-the-activist-cop-who-stood-up-to-mighty-mulayam-768835.html|title=Meet Amitabh Thakur, the 'activist' cop who stood up to 'mighty Mulayam'|author=click to open|work=News18}}</ref> A number of PILs filed by the Thakurs resulted in action, but many were rejected by the courts as "frivolous".The Thakurs' counsel Asok Pande was fined {{INR}} 200,000 twice for frivolous PILs.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/> In 2014, the [[Allahabad High Court]] declared them to be "chronic petitioners".<ref name="CatchNews_tell_2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.catchnews.com/india-news/amitabh-nutan-thakur-in-a-tell-all-their-fight-with-mulayam-and-mistakes-they-ve-made-1436870306.html|title=Amitabh and Nutan Thakur in a tell-all: their fight with Mulayam Singh|work=catchnews.com}}</ref> In April 2014, the High Court directed its registry not to accept any PIL from Amitabh Thakur. The court stated that, as a government servant, he needed to obtain a permission from the state government for filing PILs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Amitabh-Thakur-barred-from-moving-PIL/articleshow/33526159.cms|title=Amitabh Thakur barred from moving PIL|work=The Times of India}}</ref> His wife Nutan was also ordered to deposit {{INR}} 25,000 every time she filed a PIL; the deposit would be returned if the court found the PIL was about a genuine public cause, else the money would be forfeited. The court said that this was necessary to deter frivolous petitions which waste the court's time and money. Nutan Thakur moved to the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]], which upheld the High Court's order.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-rings-alarm-bells-for-chronic-litigants/articleshow/40724199.cms|title=SC rings alarm bells for chronic litigants|work=The Times of India}}</ref>
The Basic philosophy of Azad Adhikar Sena is Belief in Democratic Values and Constitution of India and Belief in Power of the Individual (Aam Nagrik ka Adhikar).


== As a writer ==
After its formation, Azad Adhikar Sena has been expanding and working in various areas of India, with particular focus on [[Uttar Pradesh]]. It has been making its presence felt through various interventions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/ballia/adhikar-sena-demands-action-against-kotwal-ballia-news-vns6811383149|title=अधिकार सेना ने की कोतवाल के खिलाफ कार्रवाई की मांग|work=Amar Ujala}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/news/varanasi-police-commissionerate-officers-saving-gangsters-the-convener-of-adhikar-sena-said-the-criminal-declared-absconding-for-20-months-is-roaming-freely-130498338.html|title=गैंगस्टर को बचा रहे वाराणसी पुलिस कमिश्नरेट के अफसर|work=Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref>


Thakur has co-authored two books, and has compiled two collections of poems. He and his wife are working on a book on [[Arvind Kejriwal]].<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/> His book ''Fresh Brew - Chronicles of Business and Freedom'', co-authored with Amit Haralalka, traces the careers of 25 IIM Lucknow alumni who turned entrepreneurs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110403/spectrum/book6.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Books |work=Tribune }}</ref>
==Personal life==


== Personal life ==
Amitabh Thakur is married to political and social activist Dr [[Nutan Thakur]]. His brother is [[Avinash Kumar]], an IAS officer in Jharkhand.


Amitabh Thakur is married to [[Nutan Thakur]], an advocate and a social activist. The couple has two children - a daughter named Tanaya and a son named Aditya, both law students.<ref name="News18_meet_2015"/>
Amitabh has two children – a daughter named Tanaya and a son named Aditya, both law graduates. While Tanaya graduated from National Law University Patna, Aditya graduated from National Law University Lucknow. Tanaya is married to Vineet Kumar, an [[Indian Foreign Service]] officer.


== Also read ==
== See also ==
* [[Vijay Shankar Pandey]], whistle blower IAS
* [[Nutan Thakur]], Advocate, activist and active member, Azad Adhikar Sena


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Thakur, Amitabh}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thakur, Amitabh}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Muzaffarpur]]
[[Category:IIT Kanpur alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Institute of Management Lucknow alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Police Service officers]]
[[Category:Indian Police Service officers]]
[[Category:Uttar Pradesh Police]]
[[Category:Uttar Pradesh Police]]
[[Category:People from Muzaffarnagar]]
[[Category:Indian anti-corruption activists]]
[[Category:Indian anti-corruption activists]]
[[Category:Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Institute of Management Lucknow alumni]]
[[Category:Activists from Bihar]]
[[Category:Activists from Bihar]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Latest revision as of 03:34, 24 February 2026


Amitabh Thakur
Amitabh Thakur in 2022
Born (1968-06-16) 16 June 1968 (age 58)
Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Alma materIIT Kanpur, (BTech), IIM Lucknow
OccupationFormer Indian Police Service officer
Known for
Height1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Political partyAzad Adhikar Sena (2022)
Spouse(s)
(
m. 1993)
Children
  • Tanaya Thakur
  • Aditya Thakur
Parents
  • Tapeshwar Narayan Thakur (father)
  • Madhuri Bala (mother)
Relatives
WebsiteParty website, Party mouthpiece

Amitabh Thakur (born 16 June 1968) is an ex-Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and a political activist. He was forced to undergo compulsory retirement in March 2021. During service, Amitabh was known for his strict adherence to rules and regulations as well as for his work in the field of administrative accountability.[3][4]

Since retirement, Amitabh works as a social and political activist. He is currently the President of Azad Adhikar Sena. Azad Adhikar Sena was initiated by him, his wife Dr Nutan Thakur, and others.[5][6][7]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Amitabh Thakur was born on 16 June 1968 at Muzaffarpur, Bihar to Tapeshwar Narain Thakur, an Electrical Engineer and Madhuri Bala, a lecturer in Hindi.[8] He was brought up in Bokaro Steel City in present-day Jharkhand (then a part of Bihar), where he got his Matriculation and Intermediate degree from Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Bokaro Steel City, in 1983 and 1985 respectively. He enrolled in IIT Kanpur in 1985, where he obtained his BTech degree in mechanical engineering in 1989.[9][10]

Police career[edit | edit source]

Amitabh was commissioned in the Indian Police Service in 1992.[10] His initial field training commenced in Kanpur district, followed by his posting in Gorakhpur; during his stint at the latter, he frequently came at loggerheads with Yogi Adityanath, who eventually became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He worked as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in around 10 districts of UP, including Pithoragarh, Lalitpur, Deoria, Gonda, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Firozabad, Ballia and Maharajganj. He also worked in multiple departments including Intelligence, Vigilance, Anti-Corruption and Police Training Academy.[9][8]

Basic Principles of Policing [citation needed][edit | edit source]

All through his career, Amitabh Thakur worked for the cause of transparency and accountability of the system. He also worked for people friendly policing, giving highest importance to grievance redressal of the poor and the downtrodden.

In this process, he also got deeply engaged in internal police reforms. He particularly worked for betterment of the service conditions of subordinate police officers. He advocated for better internal social and functional environment in police. He also advocated reduction of power distance in police system and closer interaction between superior and subordinate rank police officers. For all this, he strongly advocated for creation of Subordinate officers Police Associations.

Important Events in Police career[edit | edit source]

Amitabh Thakur had many clashes with different political and administrative masters, because of his strict and non-compromising approach.

Clash with Mulayam Singh Yadav government[edit | edit source]

In 2006, Amitabh was posted as SP of Firozabad district. There he refused to obey some of the wrongful dictates of then MLA Ramvir Singh Yadav. Ramveer Singh was a close relative of then Chief Minister, UP and Samajwadi Party Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. This finally led to an incidence of alleged assault and manhandling with Amitabh Thakur. Mulayam Singh Yadav clearly told Amitabh not to register any case in this matter. Despite the oral order, Thakur got a First Information Report (FIR) registered in this matter at Eka police station. This led to Thakur extensively suffering at the hands of Mulayam Singh Government.[11][8]

Clash with Mayawati government[edit | edit source]

Amitabh Thakur had another altercation with Government in 2008–09. At that time, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) suprempo Mayawati was the Chief Minister. Amitabh was selected for the four-year Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) at IIM Lucknow through the prestigious Common Admission Test (CAT). He approached the Government to grant him a study leave for the course. The Home Department refused the study leave merely to harass Amitabh. Amitabh approached the Lucknow Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal and got Extraordinary leave (i.e., leave without salary) sanctioned. He joined IIM Lucknow and stayed there for 02 years without any salary. He completed his FPM course and came back to service. Later he won his study leave case from the Central Administrative Tribunal and Allahabad High Court. Finally the State Government was forced to give his the entire salary for this period in June 2012. This study leave case is regarded as an important struggle in service matter issues.[12][13][14][15]

Clash with Akhilesh Yadav government[edit | edit source]

Amitabh Thakur had his third set of direct altercations with Government in 2014–2017. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav was the Chief Minister at that time. In December 2014, Thakur's wife Dr Nutan Thakur filed a complaint against the state's mining minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, before the Lok Ayukta (anti-corruption ombudsman).[16] She alleged that the minister was involved in illegal mining activities.[17] Thakur approached the Central Government, seeking protection for his family.[18]

In January 2015, a woman filed a rape case against Amitabh Thakur, while he was posted as IG (Civil Defence). The woman alleged that Nutan Thakur promised her assistance in getting a government job, and asked her to come to the Thakurs' residence in Gomti Nagar, where she was allegedly raped. The Thakurs dismissed the complaint as bogus, saying that it had been filed and framed in response to Nutan's complaint against the minister, and that the complainant was related to a Samajwadi Party leader.[19]

On 10 July 2015, Amitabh got a phone call from Mulayam Singh Yadav. He alleged that Yadav had threatened him over the phone call. He released the audio of the phone call, in which Yadav is allegedly heard saying certain sentences of threatening nature:[18][20] Thakur alleged that Mulayam Singh was unhappy about the complaint lodged by his wife Nutan against the state minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati.[20]

On 11 July 2015, Amitabh presented a complaint before Hazratganj police station for registration of FIR against Mulayam Singh as regards the alleged phone threat. The Police refused to register. But in the same night of 11 July, a rape case was registered against Amitabh and his wife Nutan by the Lucknow police at Gomtinagar police station. This FIR was based on the same old complaint presented in January.[18] Two days later, on 13 July, the state government suspended Thakur, accusing him of "indiscipline, holding anti-government views, dereliction of duty and violating service rules". The government also alleged that he had misused government resources and given incomplete information about his assets in his annual declaration of property, which the government hasn't been able to prove yet.[8]

This was followed by rapid State action against Amitabh. On 13 July, Thakur was suspended. Almost immediately after this, Vigilance enquiry was initiated against him as regards alleged disproportionate assets An FIR for Disproportionate Assets was also registered against him at Thana Gomtinagar in September 2015.[21][22][23][24][25][26]

Later Investigations were held in both the rape case and Disproportionate assets case. During investigation, both the charges proved to be incorrect. In the rape case, the Police not only exonerated Thakur, it also charged the complainant of registering a false FIR. Similarly, in the Disproportionate assets case, the investigating agency concluded that the charges were incorrect and Thakur had property much lesser than his known sources of income.[27][28][29][30]

Clash with Yogi Adityanath government[edit | edit source]

Amitabh Thakur also had direct altercations during the rule of Bhartiya Janata Party Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. There was a history of previous conflicts between the two. Amitabh had previously been posted in and around Yogi Adityanath's place of activity, Gorakhpur. The two had many altercations during Thakur's posting as Superintendent of Police in Deoria, Basti and Maharajganj districts. In 2007 Yogi Adityanath was arrested on serious charges related with hate speech and disturbance of law and order. This had led to riots in and around Gorakhpur, including in Maharajganj. Hindu Yuva Vahini of Yogi Adityanath was generally believed to be the force behind these law and order disturbances. Amitabh had taken extremely stern action during these riots. After coming out of jail, Yogi Adityanath had threatened Thakur of dire consequences. There was a 1999 murder case against Yogi Adityanath related with Pachrukhiya in Maharajganj. A Policeman had also been murdered in this case. Yogi Adityanath was a named accused in this case. The case had long been pending with CID. It got transferred to Maharajganj at the same time when Amitabh Thakur was SP Maharajganj. The moment Amitabh initiated its enquiry, he got immense pressure from various powerful corners. He continued his investigation but got transferred midway.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]

Compulsory Retirement[edit | edit source]

It was with this background that Yogi Adityanath government recommended compulsory retirement of Amitabh Thakur and Amitabh was given compulsory retirement in March 2021, even though seven years of his tenure were outstanding. When Amitabh sought information about this retirement from Ministry of Home Affairs, it denied the information. Amitabh has challenged this retirement in Central Administrative Tribunal Lucknow bench, where the matter is currently pending.[38][39][40][41][42]

Arrest[edit | edit source]

In August 2021, Amitabh announced that he would be contesting forthcoming Assembly elections against Yogi Adityanath. Almost immediately after this, he was arrested in August 2021.[43] He was granted bail in March 2022 and came out of jail on bail almost immediately after the Assembly result.

In December 2025,[44] the Lucknow police commissionerate arrested Amitabh Thakur for allegedly abusing his position as superintendent of police of Deoria in 1999 to fraudulently secure an industrial plot in the name of his wife through forged identities and fabricated documents. [45][46][47]

He got bail in this matter on 19 January and came out of Deoria Jail on 11 February 2026. [48][49][50]

Activism[edit | edit source]

All through his career as a Police officer, Amitabh Thakur remained a pro-poor, activism oriented person, which often resulted in his direct confrontations with various Governments. He was the founder of the National RTI Forum, a grassroots anti-corruption organisation in India that advocates for government openness under the terms of the 2005 Right to Information Act.[51] The organisation is based in Lucknow. He had also formed Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS), a human rights organisation.[9] He recorded the dying declaration of journalist Jagendra Singh; the video allegedly indicated the involvement of a state's minister in Singh's death.[9] In January 2011, Amitabh filed an FIR against Facebook and some of its users, for offensive comments against Mahatma Gandhi in a Facebook group called "I hate Gandhi".[52] Facebook banned the group a couple of days later.[53] Amitabh Thakur and his wife Nutan have filed over 500 RTI applications and 150 Public Interest Litigations (PILs).[9] A number of PILs filed by the Thakurs resulted in action.

As a writer[edit | edit source]

Thakur has authored a story book in Hindi, Dhal Gayi Raat, and has compiled two collections of poems Jaisa Maine Jana Hai and Aatmadarsh.[9] His book Fresh Brew – Chronicles of Business and Freedom, co-authored with Amit Haralalka, traces the careers of 25 IIM Lucknow alumni who turned entrepreneurs. His book Cyber Crime (Hindi साइबर क्राइम) co-authored with S H Zaidi is possibly the first book on Cyber Crime in Hindi.[54]

Azad Adhikar Sena[edit | edit source]

Azad Adhikar Sena (आजाद अधिकार सेना in Hindi), also known by its short name AAS (आस in Hindi), is an unregistered political party in India, which is presently undergoing the process of registration before the Election Commission of India.[7] It was initiated by Amitabh Thakur, his wife Dr Nutan Thakur and others in August 2021.[5] The process stopped after Amitabh's arrest. Its formation was resumedafter his release from Jail in March 2022.[55]

In June 2022, the formation of Adhikar Sena was again announced.[56][6] He said the primary aim of Adhikar Sena is to instill the feeling and concept that all the powers (Adhikar) and authorities lie in the citizen of India, as bestowed through the Constitution of India and various laws of the Land.[57] Currently, the Party is in process of getting registered in Election Commission of India.

The Basic philosophy of Azad Adhikar Sena is Belief in Democratic Values and Constitution of India and Belief in Power of the Individual (Aam Nagrik ka Adhikar).

After its formation, Azad Adhikar Sena has been expanding and working in various areas of India, with particular focus on Uttar Pradesh. It has been making its presence felt through various interventions.[58][59]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Amitabh Thakur is married to political and social activist Dr Nutan Thakur. His brother is Avinash Kumar, an IAS officer in Jharkhand.

Amitabh has two children – a daughter named Tanaya and a son named Aditya, both law graduates. While Tanaya graduated from National Law University Patna, Aditya graduated from National Law University Lucknow. Tanaya is married to Vineet Kumar, an Indian Foreign Service officer.

See also[edit | edit source]

  • Nutan Thakur, Advocate, activist and active member, Azad Adhikar Sena

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "समय से पहले रिटायर किए गए IPS अमिताभ ठाकुर के लिए भाई IAS अविनाश कुमार ने शेयर की कविता" [Brother IAS Avinash Kumar shared a poem for prematurely retired IPS Amitabh Thakur.]. Aaj Tak. 26 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "Jharkhand News: जबरन रिटायर किए गए IPS अमिताभ ठाकुर के भाई IAS अविनाश कुमार ने लिखी मार्मिक कविता-'मां अगले जन्म में फिर...'" [IAS Avinash Kumar, brother of forcibly retired IPS Amitabh Thakur, wrote a touching poem - 'Mother will come again in the next life...']. Rediff.
  3. ↑ "IPS Amitabh Thakur Deemed 'Not Fit' for Service, Forced to Retire". The Quint. 23 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "Amitabh Thakur given premature retirement". First India.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "UP's ex-IPS officer names new party Adhikar Sena, but suggestions welcome". Rediff.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Retired IPS officer Amitabh Thakur floats political party 'Adhikar Sena'". ETV Bharat. 25 June 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Adhikar Sena". Official website.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Suspended UP top cop Amitabh Thakur no stranger to controversies". Hindustan Times. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 click to open. "Meet Amitabh Thakur, the 'activist' cop who stood up to 'mighty Mulayam'". News18.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "In pics: Bureaucrats who suffered at the hands of political class by being repeatedly transferred or denied plum posting". India Today.
  11. ↑ "MLA, aides bash up Ferozabad SP". Hindustan Times. 28 July 2006. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "IPS officer gets two years study leave". The Indian Express.
  13. ↑ "HC directs UP chief secretary to probe harassment". The Times of India. 29 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Reconsider IPS officer's plea for study leave". The Times of India. 11 July 2010.
  15. ↑ "Kejriwal exit affair: Allow government servants who have resigned to leave quickly, respectfully". Money Life.
  16. ↑ ""Rape allegations a 'concocted' story," says Amitabh Thakur". Rediff. 12 July 2015.
  17. ↑ "After suspension, IPS officer Amitabh Thakur says will continue fight against Mulayam". The Times of India. 14 July 2015.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Deepshikha Ghosh (14 July 2015). "'Sudhar Jaaiye,' Mulayam Singh Yadav Told Police Officer Amitabh Thakur". NDTV.com.
  19. ↑ "Woman allege rape by IGP in Ghaziabad, police official's wife refute charge". dna.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "IG-rank officer files police complaint against Mulayam Singh". The Indian Express. 12 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "Suspended IPS officer Amitabh Thakur gets 'moral support' from Ashok Khemka, Sanjiv Chaturvedi". The Economic Times. 19 July 2015.
  22. ↑ "AUP IPS officer Amitabh Thakur's suspension sets off political storm". Press Trust of India. 14 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "IPS Amitabh Thakur LIVE: Terms his suspension as a return gift from Mulayam". ABP News.
  24. ↑ "Amitabh Thakur given premature retirement". First India. 21 November 2015.
  25. ↑ "Amitabh Thakur accuses vigilance officers of humiliating him and wife". The Times of India.
  26. ↑ "House of IAS officer, who took on SP govt in UP, searched". India Today. 13 October 2015.
  27. ↑ "Rape charges against Amitabh Thakur, wife found false". UNI.
  28. ↑ "Police give clean chit to Amitabh, Nutan Thakur in rape case". The Times of India. 21 March 2017.
  29. ↑ "IPS Officer Amitabh Thakur Found Not Guilty In Corruption Case". NDTV.
  30. ↑ "आय से अधिक संपत्ति के मामले में आईपीएस अमिताभ ठाकुर निर्दोष पाए गए". Hindustan.
  31. ↑ "हत्या का 19 साल पुराना मामला जिससे परेशान हैं योगी आदित्यनाथ". BBC Hindi.
  32. ↑ "19 साल पुराने हत्याकांड में सीएम योगी को नोटिस, 27 अक्टूबर को होगी सुनवाई". Amar Ujala.
  33. ↑ "कहानी महाराजगंज के कब्रिस्तान में लगे उस पीपल की, जिसे काटा गया तो योगी की गाड़ी पर पत्थर चला और सिपाही का मर्डर हो गया". Dainik Bhaskar.
  34. ↑ "They paid a price for Adityanath's hate speech – and now have fallen silent". Scroll. 29 April 2017.
  35. ↑ "गोरखपुर: चर्चित पचरुखिया कांड में सीएम योगी आदित्‍यनाथ को बड़ी राहत, हाईकोर्ट ने खारिज की याचिका". ABP News. 17 July 2019.
  36. ↑ "2007 की वो घटना, जब मुलायम सिंह के निर्देश पर योगी को गिरफ्तार किया गया". Dainik Bhaskar.
  37. ↑ "एक गिरफ्तारी ने कैसे बदल दिया फायरब्रांड नेता योगी आदित्यनाथ को". NDTV.
  38. ↑ "पूर्व IPS अफसर अमिताभ ठाकुर को नहीं मिले रिटायरमेंट से जुड़े दस्तावेज, यूपी सरकार ने दिया ये तर्क/". ABP News. 9 June 2021.
  39. ↑ "अमिताभ ठाकुर को MHA ने 'जबरन रिटायर' की जानकारी देने से किया इनकार". The Quint. 3 May 2021.
  40. ↑ "जबरिया रिटायरमेंट के आदेश को पूर्व IPS अफसर अमिताभ ठाकुर ने CAT लखनऊ बेंच में दी चुनौती". Dainik Jagran.
  41. ↑ "पूर्व IPS अफसर अमिताभ ठाकुर". Hindustan.
  42. ↑ "अमिताभ ठाकुर के 'जबरिया रिटायरमेंट' पर कैट ने केंद्र और UP सरकार से मांगा जवाब". Aaj Tak. 16 June 2021.
  43. ↑ "Uttar Pradesh: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested for abetting rape survivor's suicide | Lucknow News". The Times of India. 28 August 2021.
  44. ↑ "1999 Deoria fraud case: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested for securing industrial plot using forged documents" – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  45. ↑ "Land fraud case: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested in U.P., sent to judicial custody". The Hindu. 11 December 2025.
  46. ↑ "1999 deoria fraud case-former ips officer amitabh thakur arrested". The Times of India. 19 December 2025.
  47. ↑ "UP ex-IPS officer Amitabh Thakur held for 'forgery' to secure industrial plot in 1999". The Indian Express. 11 December 2025.
  48. ↑ "Former IPS officer, arrested for fraudulently securing land, released on bail". The Pioneer. 13 February 2026.
  49. ↑ "Former IPS officer arrested for fraudulently securing land released on bail". The Week. 12 February 2026.
  50. ↑ "पूर्व IPS अमिताभ ठाकुर देवरिया जेल से रिहा, धोखाधड़ी मामले में मिली जमानत". Dainik Jagran. 12 February 2026.
  51. ↑ "Jethwa, two other chosen for RTI gallantry awards". The Hindu. 2 September 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  52. ↑ "Case against Facebook for hosting 'I hate Gandhi' group". sify.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2011.
  53. ↑ "Facebook bans online hate group on Mahatma Gandhi". dna.
  54. ↑ "The Sunday Tribune – Books". The Express Tribune.
  55. ↑ "Rape victim's suicide: HC grants bail to former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur". Hindustan Times. 14 March 2022.
  56. ↑ "Political Party 'Adhikar Sena' formed by Ex- IPS". Jubilee Post. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  57. ↑ "About Adhikar Sena". 22 July 2022.
  58. ↑ "अधिकार सेना ने की कोतवाल के खिलाफ कार्रवाई की मांग". Amar Ujala.
  59. ↑ "गैंगस्टर को बचा रहे वाराणसी पुलिस कमिश्नरेट के अफसर". Dainik Bhaskar.
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