Agencies

Bangalore, Jul 11: Shankar Mahadev Bidari, took charge as the city’s new Police Commissioner today July 11, 2008 at a simple function held in Bangalore.  He took charge from outgoing Police Commissioner N Achutarao. 

New Police Commissioner of Bangalore SM Bidari took charge from outgoing Police Commissioner N Achutarao on Friday in Bangalore

Regarded as a tough cop, the 57-year-old Bidari was handpicked early in his career to serve as Mandya’s Superintendent of Police when the district was facing serious law and order problems such as communal disturbances, farmers’ agitations, labour unrest and caste conflicts.

He shot to limelight after a Naxalite, Bimla Nayak, was shot dead in an encounter near Mundari on the outskirts of Bellary when was posted as the Superintendent of Police there.

As the Commander of the Special Task Force, Bidari was successful in paring brigand Veerappan’s gang members down to five. The State Government appreciated his work and gave cash prizes to Bidari and his team.  Bidari is one of the few police officers who have won all the three President’s Medals given for Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service and Gallantry. Besides, he has been awarded with Chief Minister’s Gold Medal twice. He was also decorated with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Showrya Padakam.

Bidari’s daughter Vijayalakshmi is an IAS officer with the Maharashtra cadre while his son Vijendra is an IPS officer of the Rajasthan cadre.

Bidari is the son-in-law of the poet Madhura Chenna, who introduced Sri Aurobindo to the great Kannada poet Da Ra Bendre.