Exclusive Chat with Ashok Kumar, former DGP, Uttarakhand
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 27 Nov: Ashok Kumar, a retired 1989 batch Indian Police Service officer from the Uttarakhand cadre, served as the 11th Director General of Uttarakhand Police. Post his retirement from active police service, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Sports University of Haryana on 28 February 2024, where he continues to serve.
Kumar, a highly decorated police officer who is known to have prioritised public interest, is also an avid sportsperson and has represented IIT Delhi in badminton. He is also a well-known author, having written several books, including Human in Khakhi and Cyber Encounters. His literary contributions also extend to books on career and motivation, as well as on civil services.
Kumar’s legacy is further carried on by his daughter, Kuhu Garg, who is, both, an international badminton player of repute and an IPS officer.
Additionally, Kumar is the founder of the Crime Literature Festival in Dehradun. This year, the second edition of the festival is being held in Dehradun from 29 November. Garhwal Post spoke exclusively with him about the Crime Literature Festival. Here are some excerpts:
How can a Crime Literature Festival promote awareness on crime?
Crime Literature Festival is a confluence of police officers, crime fiction authors as well as film makers and series makers. Therefore, it is bound to create awareness amongst masses. It is bound to promote awareness regarding crime, like how crime happens or what is the psychology behind it and how police work out the cases because there are police officers who have written non-fiction about crime, their real-life experiences of tackling crime, terrorism or cyber-crimes. Therefore, the upcoming Crime Literature Festival in Dehradun is certainly going to create a lot of awareness among the people about crime.
You have written a book on cybercrime based on some actual cases. How big a challenge is cybercrime emerging for the Police in India and elsewhere? How well is Police prepared to deal with this?
Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant challenges faced by the Police today. The sheer volume of cases is staggering, making it an overwhelming issue. In 2022 alone, over 20 lakh complaints were registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. This unprecedented scale highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the immense pressure it places on police forces across the country.
Despite their best efforts, we can’t say that the Police are fully prepared to deal with this. The Police face significant limitations in tackling cybercrime effectively. One of the primary issues is capacity building. Police departments often lack the resources, infrastructure, and trained personnel required to handle such a high volume of cybercrime cases. Additionally, the nature of these crimes, committed digitally from remote locations, presents unique challenges. Cybercriminals do not need to be physically present at the crime scene, allowing them to operate from thousands of miles away without leaving any physical trace.
The absence of physical footprints makes it difficult to track and apprehend cybercriminals. As a result, law enforcement agencies must adopt advanced techniques and tools to combat this modern menace. While efforts are being made, the current state of preparedness is far from adequate.
To address these challenges, police departments have been leveraging real-world experiences and sharing best practices. For instance, my book Cyber Encounters discusses 13 real-life cases of cybercrime, including frauds amounting to over Rs 1 crore. The book highlights how criminals exploit victims’ psychology, using greed, curiosity, or fear to perpetrate their crimes. By understanding these tactics, law enforcement can better educate the public and enhance their preventive measures.
In a notable example, Varun Singla, a cybercrime officer from Haryana, has been instrumental in addressing the cybercrime epidemic in regions like Kurukshetra and Mewat in Haryana, which have become major hubs for such activities, second only to Jamtara. Singla’s team successfully solved cases involving over Rs 100 crore worth of fraud. Their proactive approach, including establishing a dedicated cybercrime headquarters in Mewat, serves as a model for other regions. Law enforcement agencies are doing their best within the constraints they face, but there is a long way to go.
What role can events like this festival play in connecting readers and writers?
Literature festivals are undoubtedly designed to bring readers and writers together. However, at times, the focus shifts from the essence of books and writing to the events themselves, overshadowing the literary aspect. Despite this, I firmly believe that such festivals play a vital role in promoting writing. They provide a significant boost not only to authors but also to readers.
For readers, these festivals offer a unique opportunity to explore books, interact with authors, and find inspiration. Additionally, this year’s festival includes a workshop aimed at helping participants enhance their writing skills, further emphasising the event’s commitment to literature. Overall, I feel these festivals are a tremendous boost to the world of literature, fostering creativity, engagement, and appreciation for the written word.
How has crime literature evolved over the decades, and what current trends are shaping the genre?
India has traditionally lagged behind the West in the genre of crime literature. While the West boasts a rich tradition of crime fiction, such as the iconic Sherlock Holmes series, India’s crime literature landscape, particularly by police officers or retired police officers, was relatively sparse. However, this trend has seen a notable shift in recent years. Many police officers have started sharing their real-life experiences and professional encounters through books, offering readers a unique glimpse into the world of crime and justice.
In the realm of crime fiction, early Indian writers like Surendra Mohan Pathak and Ved Prakash Kamboj made significant contributions with characters such as Sunil, Agent Vinod, and Vikrant. While their work was categorised as pulp fiction rather than highbrow literature, these characters sustained interest in the genre. Today, however, crime fiction and non-fiction in India are evolving, with higher-quality narratives being penned by both police officers and other authors.
This change is further amplified by the rise of films and web series based on true incidents, such as Article 15 and Section 375. These narratives highlight the intersection of real-life crime and storytelling, reflecting society’s growing appetite for authentic crime narratives. The trend has undoubtedly moved towards producing richer and more nuanced crime literature and media. Therefore, the trend has changed for the better.
How is the role of technology influencing modern crime narratives?
Technology is a major game-changer both for the criminals as well as in modern policing. But it also presents significant challenges, particularly with the rise of cybercrime. Advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), have provided criminals with new tools, including voice cloning and deepfake video capabilities, which make crimes more sophisticated and harder to detect. Keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology is a considerable challenge for the Police and other law enforcement agencies.
Before adopting new technologies, it is essential for police forces to study their potential misuse by criminals and develop strategies to counter these threats. For example, when mobile phones became widely available, they initially gave criminals an advantage by allowing them to coordinate activities and track their targets with precision. However, law enforcement soon turned this technology to their advantage by using mobile data to identify suspects, their locations, and their networks, ultimately aiding in crime-solving. Then WhatsApp arrived, which made it difficult for the Police to find out the chats and the companies were not willing to share the chats with the Police. It still remains a challenge though the Police are now better equipped to deal with this. Then, the advent of CCTV has revolutionised crime detection. In Dehradun, for instance, a case was solved during my tenure by analysing footage from 1,200 CCTV cameras, demonstrating how effectively technology can be used in police work. However, challenges such as restricted access to call detail records or encrypted communications highlight the complexities of leveraging technology within legal and ethical frameworks.
Technology is a double-edged weapon. It can empower both criminals and law enforcement. For police forces, the key lies in staying ahead of the curve, adapting to technological advancements, and ensuring robust mechanisms to counteract misuse while maximising the benefits for crime prevention and investigation.
Pic: Mohtshim Khan
