The Journey of IPS Officer Anurag Arya: From a Small Village in UP to Taking Down Notorious Criminals

Anurag Arya, the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Bareilly, has once again found himself in the spotlight. Under his leadership, the Bareilly Police recently arrested a serial killer, uncovering the mystery behind the murders of 10 women. This has sparked widespread curiosity about the man behind these significant achievements, with many turning to social media to learn more about him. Today, we delve into the story of 2013 batch IPS officer Anurag Arya.

A Life-Altering Moment

Anurag Arya’s journey to becoming an IPS officer is a tale of resilience and determination. Born in Chaprauli, a small village in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, Anurag's early life was marked by challenges. Raised by his mother, Dr. Poonam Arya, after his parents separated when he was just six months old, Anurag grew up in his maternal grandparents' home in Chaprauli. His mother, a homeopathy doctor, and his wife, Vanika Singh, a PCS officer serving as a Commercial Tax Officer in UP, have been his pillars of support.

Struggles with English and Early Education

Anurag completed his early education at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in his village, where he faced difficulties with English, particularly in speaking. He believed that this language barrier often caused rural students to fall behind their urban counterparts. However, the school instilled strong values in him, which laid the foundation for his future success.

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

In 2008, Anurag was admitted to the Indian Military School (IMS) in Dehradun. Initially, he struggled with the new environment, but gradually, his command over English improved, along with his discipline and personality. He excelled in various sports like horse riding, mountaineering, and rafting, winning several medals. After completing his schooling, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

A Setback That Changed His Life

In 2011, Anurag faced a major setback when he failed two subjects in his final MSc exams at Delhi University's Hindu College. This failure forced him to reassess his career path. Realizing that his current field was not the right fit for him, he decided to pursue a career in the Indian Police Service (IPS). He believes that failure in one field can lead to success in another, a philosophy that guided him through this challenging time.

From RBI to IPS

In 2013, while preparing for the IPS exams, Anurag also secured a position as a Manager at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He worked in Kanpur for eight months before successfully clearing the IPS exam in his first attempt, securing a rank of 163. He then left his job at the RBI to undergo training at the National Police Academy (NPA) in Hyderabad. After completing his training, he was posted in Ghaziabad as an under-training officer.

Serving as SP Across Multiple Districts

During the initial two and a half years of his career, Anurag served as SP in four districts: Amethi, Balrampur, Mau, and Pratapgarh. His leadership and commitment to law enforcement became evident during these postings.

Taking on the Notorious Mukhtar Ansari

Anurag Arya’s most notable achievement came in 2019-2020 when he took significant action against the infamous criminal Mukhtar Ansari. As the SP, Anurag led a crackdown on Mukhtar’s illegal activities, including shutting down illegal slaughterhouses and registering cases against 26 individuals under the Gangster Act. He also demolished the house of Anuj Kanojia, a close associate of Mukhtar, and seized crores worth of illegal assets belonging to Mukhtar and his brother. This marked the first time since 2013 that a case was registered against Mukhtar Ansari, bringing Anurag Arya into the national spotlight.

Anurag Arya’s journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to becoming an IPS officer known for his tough stance against crime is an inspiring tale of perseverance and dedication. His story serves as a testament to the fact that setbacks can often lead to greater achievements when met with determination and a clear vision.