Mohan Chand Sharma AC (23 September 1965 – 19 September 2008) was an Indian police officer who was martyred during the 2008 Batla House encounter in New Delhi. He was posthumously awarded the Gallantry medal Ashoka Chakra Award, India's highest peacetime military decoration, on 26 January 2009.[1]

Mohan Chand Sharma
Official Portrait, 1989
Born(1965-09-23)23 September 1965
Died19 September 2008(2008-09-19) (aged 42)
Other namesM. C. Sharma
Known forBatla House encounter
RelativesMaya Sharma (Wife)
Police career
DepartmentDelhi Police
Service years1989-2008
Rank Police Inspector
Awards Ashoka Chakra

Life and career

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Sharma, a Kumaoni, was born in Chaukhutia Masi region of Almora in Uttarakhand. He joined the Delhi Police as a sub-inspector in 1989, and continued to serve for 19 years. He was a part of the Special Cell, an anti-terrorist unit of the Delhi Police Force.[2]

Sharma was involved in an encounter with the terrorist Abu Hamza at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in 2006, and in the arrest of four Jaish-e-Mohammad militants in February 2007 after an encounter at DDU Marg, Delhi.

He received a number of awards and decorations during his career, including seven gallantry awards.[3]

Death

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Sharma died on 19 September 2008, aged 42, after sustaining injuries during the Batla House encounter with Indian Mujahideen's terrorists involved in the 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings. Sharma received bullet injuries to his abdomen, thighs and right arm. According to the autopsy performed at the AIIMS, he died of excessive bleeding. [4]

Batla House case

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He was a part of the 2008 Batla House encounter case with Delhi Police.[5] He played a major role in this case, and a film was also made about it called Batla House. in which his character was played by famous Bollywood actor Ravi Kishan.[6]

Tributes

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A number of high officials paid tribute to Sharma, including Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Police Commissioner Y. S. Dadhwal.[7] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh praised his "exceptional courage" and called him "an inspiration for our security forces."[8] The Prime Minister also sent a message of condolence to Sharma's wife,[9] as did INC president Sonia Gandhi.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Ashok Chakra conferred to 'encounter cop' MC Sharma on R-Day". Hindustan Times. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Delhi cop Sharma cremated with full state honours". Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
  3. ^ Yadav, Sandeep (20 September 2008). "Decorated officer Sharma dies". The Tribune. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Blasts-linked militants, policeman killed in Delhi gunbattle". The Hindu. Press Trust India. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Did you know that DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav gave his inputs to keep John Abraham-starrer 'Batla House' authentic?". The Times of India. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Did you know that DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav gave his inputs to keep John Abraham-starrer 'Batla House' authentic?". The Times of India. January 2022.
  7. ^ "Braveheart Inspector's death a huge loss". 21 September 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2008.
  8. ^ a b "Manmohan, Sonia condole Sharma's death". Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
  9. ^ "PM condoles demise of Inspector M. C. Sharma". Prime Minister's Office. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2021.