NAGPUR: Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone 1, Nagpur City, S Rushikesh Reddy has been awarded the prestigious Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak–2026 for Excellence in Investigation for his role in cracking a sensational murder case in Nanded that was found to have links with Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists.
Reddy, who was serving as Superintendent of Police (SP), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Sambhaji Nagar, at the time of the investigation, played a key role in solving the case involving a targeted shooting allegedly orchestrated from abroad by designated terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda and his associate Happy Passia.
The incident took place on February 10, 2025, when an unidentified assailant opened fire on two men travelling on a motorcycle along with a relative in Nanded. The attack claimed the life of one person, while another sustained serious injuries. Initially, the case was a blind investigation, with investigators having no concrete leads about the shooter or the conspiracy behind the attack.
However, the Maharashtra ATS investigation established that the murder had allegedly been planned from abroad by Rinda, a BKI operative originally from Nanded who has been based in Pakistan since 2019, along with his associate Happy Passia. The modus operandi of the crime was found to be strikingly similar to the 2022 murder of businessman Sanjay Biyani in Nanded.
The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) played a crucial role in cracking the case by helping investigators identify the accused, establish their connections and track their movements. It also facilitated the expeditious issuance of Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against accused who had fled the country.
Coordination between Maharashtra ATS, Punjab Police’s State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), the Intelligence Bureau and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), coupled with ground-level intelligence, helped investigators make a breakthrough within 20 days of the incident.
Of the 14 accused identified in the case, 10, including the alleged shooter, have been arrested. The remaining four, including Rinda and Happy Passia, are believed to be abroad, with LOCs issued against them. Investigators have also recovered the weapons, ammunition, vehicles and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime.
In recognition of his contribution to the investigation, Reddy has been selected for the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak–2026, awarded for excellence in investigation and outstanding professional work.
