Mumbai’s Real Singham: Malwani ACP Mahesh Thakur Wins President’s Medal; Has Over 500 Awards to His Credit

Mumbai: When dedication, courage, investigation skills, and a strong connection with citizens come together, they create the image of a police officer who earns the trust of the people. ACP Mahesh Kumar Thakur, popularly described as the “Singham” of the Mumbai Police, represents such a journey of nearly three decades in the police force.

Currently serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Malvani Division, Mahesh Kumar Thakur has built an impressive career spanning crime investigation, law and order, coastal security, economic offences and community policing. During his career, he has received 500+ rewards and commendations, apart from prestigious police service medals.
His journey from a village in Dhule district to senior responsibilities in Mumbai Police is an inspiring story of determination, discipline and public service.

From Dondaicha to the Police Force

Mahesh Kumar Thakur was born in Dondaicha in Dhule district, Maharashtra. He completed his education up to graduation in his native village and graduated in 1995. During his college years, he joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC). His association with NCC inspired him to pursue a career in the armed and police forces. He began preparing for competitive examinations as early as 1993, combining academic preparation with rigorous physical training. In 1995, he cleared the preliminary examination for the ITBP Assistant Commandant selection process. He also cleared the MPSC examination for Police Sub-Inspector (PSI). He chose the Maharashtra Police service because he wanted to work among people and contribute directly to public service.

A National-Level Sportsperson

Before joining the police force, Mahesh Kumar Thakur was also a passionate sportsperson. He competed in athletics, particularly pole vault, and represented his state at competitive levels. He also participated in district, university, and amateur athletics competitions. His sporting background played an important role in his police career, particularly in physical training and maintaining discipline. His college years were also filled with trekking and social activities. He explored several forts and trekking routes across Maharashtra, including the Satpuda and Sahyadri regions. He also participated in bicycle expeditions with social messages such as literacy, anti-drug awareness, and environmental conservation. One such expedition took him from his village to Goa in 1992, while another took him to Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1993.

Joining the Maharashtra Police

After clearing the MPSC examination, Thakur was selected as a Police Sub-Inspector. He underwent approximately one year of training at the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik. His first posting was in Malad, where he worked as a probationary officer and subsequently handled responsibilities as a Detection Officer and Beat Officer. He later served in Airport Security before moving to the Crime Branch. Fighting Gang Crime in Mumbai. In 2001, Mahesh Kumar Thakur was posted to Crime Branch Unit 12, Dahisar, where he worked for around three years. This was a period when Mumbai was witnessing intense gang-related crime. His team worked against criminals associated with different gangs and those involved in serious robberies and other offences. During this period, his team was involved in a police encounter with Raju Nalawade, described in the interview as a shooter associated with the Chhota Rajan gang. His team also arrested members of major robbery gangs and solved several complicated cases.

Major Investigations and 2008 Bomb Blast Probe
Thakur was subsequently transferred to Kasturba Marg Police Station, where he worked as a Detection Officer and also served with the Special Staff. He became part of several investigation teams, including an SIT investigating a major petrochemical-related case. He also participated in the investigation conducted after the 2008 Mumbai train bomb blasts, working with a zonal investigation team. These assignments gave him extensive experience in handling complicated and sensitive investigations.

Coastal Security After 26/11
After the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, coastal security became one of the major priorities for the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra security agencies. Mahesh Kumar Thakur was assigned to the Coastal Security Cell under the Protection and Security branch. He worked as an assistant to the nodal officer and was closely involved in the functioning of the Coastal Security Cell. The responsibility provided him with valuable experience in security planning and coordination. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Police Inspector and transferred to Amravati.

Major Action Against Land Mafia in Amravati
At Amravati, Thakur was given responsibility for the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). During his approximately two-year tenure, he focused on cases involving land grabbing, alleged forged documents, and illegal land transactions. According to the interview, his team uncovered a major network involved in land-related offences. Several persons were arrested during the investigation, including individuals allegedly connected with the preparation and use of fraudulent land documents. The investigation also involved officials from different departments, including a Talathi, Circle Officer and Sub-Registrar, who were alleged to have assisted the activities under investigation. The operation became one of the significant achievements of his Amravati posting.

Returning to Malvani — Three Best Detection Awards in One Year
Mahesh Kumar Thakur returned to Mumbai in 2014 and subsequently joined Malvani Police Station. Between 2015 and 2018, he handled several responsibilities, including PI Crime, PI Law & Order, PI Administration and PI PRO. During this period, his team investigated several murder cases. According to the interview, in 2016 his team solved three complicated murder cases in a single year and received Best Detection recognition. His work in Malvani was not limited to crime investigation. Malvani is a diverse and sensitive police jurisdiction, and maintaining law and order requires constant communication with residents and community representatives. Thakur focused on developing direct relations with the public and understanding problems at the grassroots level.

Solving a Seven-Year-Old Murder Case
After Malvani, Thakur served at Goregaon Police Station as PI Crime. He later joined Crime Branch Unit 10 in 2021. During his tenure with the Crime Branch, his team reopened and solved a complicated murder case that had remained unsolved for approximately seven years. The investigation became another important achievement in his career. He also handled cases involving illegal weapons, property offences and other serious crimes.

Senior Police Inspector at Nagpada and Dongri
Thakur was subsequently appointed Senior Police Inspector at Nagpada Police Station, where he served for around two years. Nagpada is considered a challenging police jurisdiction, with its own law-and-order and communal sensitivities. According to Thakur, his team worked carefully to ensure that no major communal tension or serious law-and-order situation developed during his tenure. He later also served at Dongri, where he worked for around six months.

His Unique Connection With the Public
One of the most distinctive aspects of Mahesh Kumar Thakur’s policing style is his direct relationship with citizens. According to him, whenever he takes charge of a new area, he meets residents, traders, jewellers, community organisations and other stakeholders and gives them his personal mobile number. This approach helps him understand problems directly from the ground level. Interestingly, even after his transfer from an area, citizens continue to contact him for assistance. He recalled receiving a call from the United States from a woman he had known during his Goregaon posting. She had a passport-related issue and contacted him for assistance. Even though he had already been transferred to Malvani as ACP, he helped connect the matter with the appropriate authorities. Similarly, people from Nagpur continued to contact him regarding traffic problems even after his transfer. He would coordinate with the local control room or concerned officers to help resolve the issue. For Thakur, policing is therefore not merely about wearing the uniform—it is also about building trust that continues even after a posting ends.

500+ Rewards and Commendations

During nearly three decades of police service, Mahesh Kumar Thakur has received more than 500 rewards, commendations, and recognitions, according to the interview. These recognitions have come for crime detection, investigation, special assignments, and other police duties. His career record includes recognition for solving complicated cases and delivering results in challenging police jurisdictions. Prestigious Police Service Medals: His long and distinguished service has also brought him prestigious medals. He has been honoured with the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DG) Insignia for his service. He was also selected for the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service, with the formal recognition forming part of his distinguished service record. In addition, he has received recognition under the President’s Police Medal/Distinguished Service category, as referred to in the interview. These honours recognise sustained service, professional performance and contribution to policing.

ACP Mahesh Kumar Thakur in Malvani

After returning to Mumbai in 2026, Mahesh Kumar Thakur took charge as Assistant Commissioner of Police, Malvani Division. His current responsibilities include maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and ensuring the safety of citizens across the division. For an officer who began his journey in a small village in Dhule district, his rise to the position of ACP in Mumbai represents a remarkable professional journey. From NCC and athletics to crime investigation, gang warfare, coastal security, economic offences, murder investigations and community policing, his career has covered almost every major aspect of police work.

A Police Officer With a People-First Approach
ACP Mahesh Kumar Thakur’s story is not simply about medals, awards or successful investigations. His biggest strength, as reflected in his own account, is his belief in remaining connected with people. His philosophy is simple: listen to citizens, understand their problems, and help wherever possible—even after the uniform takes you to another posting. With nearly 30 years of service, 500+ rewards and commendations, prestigious police medals and an extensive record of crime detection, ACP Mahesh Kumar Thakur continues to serve Mumbai with the same determination with which he began his journey nearly three decades ago. For many citizens, his journey has become an example of how discipline, courage, hard work and public service can transform an ordinary beginning into an extraordinary career.