Mohan Chand Sharma

Mohan Chand Sharma AC (23 September 1965 – 19 September 2008) was an Indian police officer who was killed 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]

Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma AC
Official Portrait, 1989
Born	(1965-09-23)23 September 1965 as Chaukhutia, Uttarakhand, India
Died	19 September 2008(2008-09-19) (aged 42) New Delhi, Delhi, India
Other names	M. C. Sharma
Known for	Batla House encounter
Relatives	Maya Sharma (Wife)
Police career
Department	Delhi Police
Service years	1989-2008
Rank	Police Inspector
Awards	Ashoka Chakra

Life and career

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, along with ACP Rajbir Singh, were credited for gathering prima facie evidence in the Parliament attack in 2001. ^[3] Their efforts led to the conviction of mastermind Afzal Guru, who was executed in February 2013.^[4]

Sharma was involved in an encounter with the terrorist Zabiuddin Ansari aka 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.^[5]

Death

On 19 September 2008, Sharma, along with a few Delhi Police officers, was involved in the Batla House encounter. In a firefight with Indian Mujahideen's terrorists, who were involved in the 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings, Sharma received bullet injuries to his abdomen, thighs and right arm. He was taken to the nearest hospital, but he died during treatment. According to the autopsy performed at the AIIMS, he died of excessive bleeding. ^[6]

Batla House case

He was a part of the 2008 Batla House encounter case with Delhi Police.^[7] 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.^[8]

Tributes

A number of high officials paid tribute to Sharma, including Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Police Commissioner Y. S. Dadhwal.^[9] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh praised his "exceptional courage" and called him "an inspiration for our security forces."^[10] The Prime Minister also sent a message of condolence to Sharma's wife,^[11] as did INC president Sonia Gandhi.^[10]