Once hailed as a fearless “encounter specialist” in Kanpur’s crime-infested corridors, suspended DSP Rishikant Shukla has now found himself at the center of a massive corruption and land-grabbing probe. From leading high-stakes operations against gangsters to allegedly building a ₹100-crore real estate empire, Shukla’s story reads like a classic tale of power, privilege, and unchecked ambition.
From Street Cop to Power Broker
In the late 1990s, Rishikant Shukla began his career as a young sub-inspector, quickly gaining fame for his involvement in several high-profile encounters. He was part of the teams that took down dreaded gangsters like Rafiq, Billu, Amit Rai, and Chintu Singh of the Munna Bajrangi gang. His fearless image and a series of successful operations turned him into one of Kanpur’s most talked-about officers.
By the mid-2000s, however, Shukla’s rising influence extended far beyond policing. His growing proximity to senior bureaucrats, political leaders, and developers made him a fixture in the city’s elite circles — and gave him access to opportunities few officers could dream of.
The Shift From Policing to Property
With each promotion — often earned through his encounter record and connections — Shukla’s interests started shifting toward real estate. Insiders recall that Kanpur’s builders and developers began to see him as a “gatekeeper” of sorts. “Nothing moved without Shukla’s nod,” one developer reportedly said.
It wasn’t long before Shukla’s alleged empire began expanding across Kanpur’s western fringes, particularly around Bithoor. Land deals, coercion, and partnerships with local power brokers became routine. His association with lawyer Akhilesh Dubey — accused in a government report of leading a systematic extortion and land-grabbing syndicate — further strengthened his operations.
The report described Dubey’s network as one that thrived on “fake legal cases, extortion rackets, and encroachments,” allegedly aided by sections of the police and government departments.
An Empire Built on Influence
An SIT probe has reportedly unearthed assets worth over ₹100 crore linked to Shukla and his close associates. Twelve properties valued at ₹92 crore have already been identified, with missing documentation for at least three more. Eleven benami shops in Kanpur’s Arya Nagar have also been traced to his network.
Despite these revelations, sources claim that the SIT’s estimate barely scratches the surface. Complainant Saurabh Bhadauria alleges that Shukla’s true wealth spans properties across Goa, Noida, and Punjab, amassed during his tenure with the Special Operations Group (SOG). “Wherever he was posted, he grabbed land and built properties,” Bhadauria said, promising to submit detailed evidence to the SIT by November 6.
Luxury, Connections, and the Facade of Power
Shukla’s clout was perhaps most visible earlier this year at his son’s lavish wedding, hosted at a five-star hotel in Kanpur. The guest list was a who’s who of the city — top politicians, bureaucrats, builders, and police officers — a reflection of the power and influence he wielded even while under scrutiny.
His alleged real estate portfolio includes:
- A resort and hotel on Mainawati Marg in Bithoor
- 22 plots in Shri Ram Nagri
- Six bighas of land near the Ganga Barrage
- Multiple farmhouses in Unnao’s Shankarpur Katri
- Additional plots along the Kanpur–Lucknow highway, and in Bighapur, Safipur, and Purwa — areas where he once served as Circle Officer.
The SIT Crackdown
The SIT has summoned Shukla and two other officers — Santosh Singh and Vikas Pandey — for questioning. However, despite receiving four notices, Shukla has failed to appear. Meanwhile, the Kanpur Police Commissioner has issued a dismissal notice against Inspector Ashish Dwivedi, and Inspector Sabha Jeet Mishra remains in judicial custody.
Officials close to the investigation describe the case as one of the largest corruption-linked property probes involving a police officer in the state’s history.
From Protector to Predator
What began as a story of bravery and duty has spiraled into one of greed and manipulation. Shukla’s fall from grace underscores the fine line between law enforcement and power abuse — and how unchecked authority can turn even celebrated officers into symbols of corruption.
As the SIT digs deeper, Kanpur’s corridors of power are watching closely — because this case might not end with just one name.
Once hailed as a fearless “encounter specialist” in Kanpur’s crime-infested corridors, suspended DSP Rishikant Shukla has now found himself at the center of a massive corruption and land-grabbing probe. From leading high-stakes operations against gangsters to allegedly building a ₹100-crore real estate empire, Shukla’s story reads like a classic tale of power, privilege, and unchecked ambition.
From Street Cop to Power Broker
In the late 1990s, Rishikant Shukla began his career as a young sub-inspector, quickly gaining fame for his involvement in several high-profile encounters. He was part of the teams that took down dreaded gangsters like Rafiq, Billu, Amit Rai, and Chintu Singh of the Munna Bajrangi gang. His fearless image and a series of successful operations turned him into one of Kanpur’s most talked-about officers.
By the mid-2000s, however, Shukla’s rising influence extended far beyond policing. His growing proximity to senior bureaucrats, political leaders, and developers made him a fixture in the city’s elite circles — and gave him access to opportunities few officers could dream of.
The Shift From Policing to Property
With each promotion — often earned through his encounter record and connections — Shukla’s interests started shifting toward real estate. Insiders recall that Kanpur’s builders and developers began to see him as a “gatekeeper” of sorts. “Nothing moved without Shukla’s nod,” one developer reportedly said.
It wasn’t long before Shukla’s alleged empire began expanding across Kanpur’s western fringes, particularly around Bithoor. Land deals, coercion, and partnerships with local power brokers became routine. His association with lawyer Akhilesh Dubey — accused in a government report of leading a systematic extortion and land-grabbing syndicate — further strengthened his operations.
The report described Dubey’s network as one that thrived on “fake legal cases, extortion rackets, and encroachments,” allegedly aided by sections of the police and government departments.
An Empire Built on Influence
An SIT probe has reportedly unearthed assets worth over ₹100 crore linked to Shukla and his close associates. Twelve properties valued at ₹92 crore have already been identified, with missing documentation for at least three more. Eleven benami shops in Kanpur’s Arya Nagar have also been traced to his network.
Despite these revelations, sources claim that the SIT’s estimate barely scratches the surface. Complainant Saurabh Bhadauria alleges that Shukla’s true wealth spans properties across Goa, Noida, and Punjab, amassed during his tenure with the Special Operations Group (SOG). “Wherever he was posted, he grabbed land and built properties,” Bhadauria said, promising to submit detailed evidence to the SIT by November 6.
Luxury, Connections, and the Facade of Power
Shukla’s clout was perhaps most visible earlier this year at his son’s lavish wedding, hosted at a five-star hotel in Kanpur. The guest list was a who’s who of the city — top politicians, bureaucrats, builders, and police officers — a reflection of the power and influence he wielded even while under scrutiny.
His alleged real estate portfolio includes:
- A resort and hotel on Mainawati Marg in Bithoor
- 22 plots in Shri Ram Nagri
- Six bighas of land near the Ganga Barrage
- Multiple farmhouses in Unnao’s Shankarpur Katri
- Additional plots along the Kanpur–Lucknow highway, and in Bighapur, Safipur, and Purwa — areas where he once served as Circle Officer.
The SIT Crackdown
The SIT has summoned Shukla and two other officers — Santosh Singh and Vikas Pandey — for questioning. However, despite receiving four notices, Shukla has failed to appear. Meanwhile, the Kanpur Police Commissioner has issued a dismissal notice against Inspector Ashish Dwivedi, and Inspector Sabha Jeet Mishra remains in judicial custody.
Officials close to the investigation describe the case as one of the largest corruption-linked property probes involving a police officer in the state’s history.
From Protector to Predator
What began as a story of bravery and duty has spiraled into one of greed and manipulation. Shukla’s fall from grace underscores the fine line between law enforcement and power abuse — and how unchecked authority can turn even celebrated officers into symbols of corruption.
As the SIT digs deeper, Kanpur’s corridors of power are watching closely — because this case might not end with just one name.
