On the eve of Republic Day, six police personnel from Nagpur have been awarded the President’s Police Medal and the President’s Prison and Correctional Services Medal. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the honours for their dedicated service. The awardees include senior officers, Home Guards and a prison constable. 

 

 

Additional Superintendent of Police Vijay Mahulkar, currently serving with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has built a reputation as a no-nonsense officer since joining the police force as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) in 1993. During his early years with the rural police, Mahulkar cracked several complex cases and successfully exposed interstate criminal gangs. One of his standout achievements includes the seizure of ganja worth crores of rupees, dealing a major blow to organised narcotics networks. His contributions extend beyond crime detection. While posted in the traffic branch, Mahulkar played a key role in reducing road accident fatalities by identifying and correcting accident-prone “black spots” and ensuring strict enforcement of traffic laws. As a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), he was instrumental in implementing welfare schemes for police personnel and efficiently managing large-scale police recruitment drives. Over the years, his work has earned him multiple honours, including the State Government’s ‘Best Detection Recovery’ award, two UN medals, and commendations from the Director General of Police. 

 

 

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Parag Pote of Katol Division began his career as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) in 1995. One of the most defining chapters of his service was his four-year posting in the Maoist-affected district of Gadchiroli. Working under constant threat, Pote displayed exceptional courage and leadership, for which he was awarded the Special Police Service Medal. His investigative skills came to the fore during his tenure with the Local Crime Branch in Yavatmal and Wardha, where he solved several serious and high-profile cases. Later, in the Economic Offences Wing of the Nagpur Commissionerate, Pote handled complex financial crimes with precision. His consistent performance and dedication were recognised with the Director General of Police’s Insignia. 

 

 

Police Inspector (PI) Kailas Barabhai’s career is a testament to the critical role of technology in modern policing. He joined the department in 1986 as an Assistant Police Sub-Inspector and radio mechanic in the Communication and Information Technology wing. Barabhai spent 13 years in the challenging terrain of Maoist-affected Gadchiroli and ensured uninterrupted communication for police operations. His work proved vital during elections in the district, when conventional communication networks were unavailable. Barabhai personally installed wireless systems at polling stations and esnured smooth and secure voting. He also helped set up wireless and power systems at several remote police outposts. His expertise was relied upon during major events such as the Guru-Ta-Gaddi Tricentenary celebrations in Nanded (2008) and the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik (2015). His dedication has earned him the Hard Service Medal, the Internal Security Medal, and the DGP’s Insignia.

 

 

Home Guard Platoon Naik N M Poddali has been honoured for his sincere, disciplined and selfless service to society. With 23 years of experience in the Home Guards, Poddali has played an important role in maintaining law and order and helping people during emergencies. One of the most challenging tasks of his career was during the Gujarat earthquake in 2003, when he assisted authorities in the disposal of bodies of those who lost their lives in the disaster. He also actively took part in relief work for people affected by the devastating Latur earthquake and provided support to victims during a time of great loss and suffering. Poddali also showed exceptional courage during floods in the Wainganga River. During the disaster, he recovered 34 dead bodies that were being swept away by strong floodwaters. Along with this difficult task, he also participated in rescue operations and helped save several lives. 

 

Home Guard Section Leader Gangadhar Urkude has been awarded the President’s Police Medal for his meritorious service. With nearly 30 years of experience in the Home Guard and Civil Defence forces, he has earned respect for his discipline, leadership and commitment to public safety. His most notable act of bravery came in 2023, during severe flooding in the villages of Tarsa and Babadev. Heavy rains had caused floodwaters to rise suddenly, trapping a school bus carrying around 200 to 250 students. The situation was extremely dangerous, and there was a serious risk to the lives of the children. Section Leader Urkude, along with his team, immediately took part in the rescue operation. He helped safely evacuate the students from the stranded bus amid strong currents and difficult conditions. Thanks to the timely action of the rescue team, all the students were brought to safety without loss of life. 

 

 

 

Prison Constable (Havaldar) Raju Vitthalrao Hate of Nagpur Central Jail has been awarded the President’s Prison and Correctional Services Medal for Meritorious Service on January 26, 2026. He earlier received the President’s Police Medal in 2018, reflecting his long-standing dedication to discipline, reform and humane service in the prison system. Hate joined the prison department as a prison constable on July 23, 1997, and was promoted to the rank of Havaldar on June 24, 2021. During his career, he has served at Nagpur Central Jail, Bhandara District Jail and Wardha District Jail. With 28 years and 5 months of service, he has earned 17 cash rewards and 38 commendation certificates. A native of Haldgaon village in Umred taluka, he currently resides in Nagpur with his family. 

 

 

DIG Prashant Jambholkar of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), currently serving in Srinagar, has been awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Jambholkar has served in several important operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the North East and Chhattisgarh. He is also a member of the elite National Security Guard (NSG) and has served in the Rapid Action Force, COBRA Battalion and United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo. He has earlier received many honours, including the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Kathin Seva Padak and UN Peacekeeping Medal.