Former CBI chief and a director of The Pioneer Joginder Singh breathed his last following a fatal heart attack in Delhi on Friday. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. His mortal remains will be consigned to flames at lodhi Road electric crematorium on Saturday at 1 pm. His bereaved wife Surinder Kaur writes a brief on Joginder’s journey of life.
Shri Joginder Singh was born on October 12, 1939 in Montgomery District of west Pakistan. The family owned a lot of landed property. When partition was announced the family — parents, Joginder Singh and two sisters — came to Delhi to see Independence celebrations. The family could not go back as communal riots broke out.
All his mother had was a gold ring and Rs 400, which she lost in a pick-pocketing incident. The family was left with sale proceeds of the ring to start their life again —having left behind all the property in Pakistan. The family saw financial hardship — Joginder Singh often had to go without meals and often used to tend to cattle. In 1950 the family settled in Jalalabad west of Ferozepur.
He went to local school till 5th class where there were not even chattaees to sit. He studied up to matric in a Government school Ferozepur, thereafter in Government College ludhiana. He was college hostel prefect and star speaker. He went to Mysore to represent in youth festival. He liked it so much that he opted it as choice of cadre while appearing for civil services. He appeared for civil services at age of 20 and was pleasantly surprised at clearing written. Appearing for interview was a problem as Joginder Singh was still wearing kurta pyjama. He had to borrow money to get his first suit stitched. Such was the financial condition of the family. After clearing civil services exam he was allotted to Indian Police Service and became IPS officer of 1961-batch of Karnataka cadre.
He served in Karnataka as Superintendent of Police Bidar and as Director Youth services and many other posts. At centre also he was Director CBI, DG ITBP, DG Narcotics control Bureau, DG Railway protection force, IGP CRPF and in various police organisations. He was Vice-President of All India DAV Management Committee. He is also president DAV College, Jalalabad, which his father helped to establish. He was admirer of Swami Vivekananda and Mohan Bhagwat.
He authored about 30 books. Some of them have been translated in different Indian languages.
He had been frequently appearing in TV debates. Viewers were impressed with his well researched arguments.
He contributed to various magazines and newspapers regularly on socio political issues and self-help topics. He had contributed fortnightly articles to The Pioneer for the last 15 years.
He was often called upon to address various forums. People listened to him in awe and admiration and asked for his autographs and wanted to be photographed with him.
An Honest and fearless officer, he was nicknamed ‘Tiger’ by the Press and his fans as he fearlessly handled major scams like Bofors, Fodder Scams etc.
