March 8, 2008 Tough Cop Manzil
Saini
Breaks Many Stereotypes By Ritu Sharma
New
Delhi
She switched careers to become a cop - that too after marriage - and
went on to unearth the sensational kidney racket on the outskirts of
the capital. But Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manzil
Saini says the family support she got in order to be successful is
lacking in the case of most Indian women.
"I have been able to succeed as my father never compromised with my
studies. But the same is not true for a majority of women in the
country. And this thinking needs to be changed," Saini told IANS.
A science graduate and a gold medallist from the Delhi School of
Economics, the daughter of a cop had worked with private firms for
nearly three years before joining the elite Indian Police Service (IPS).
Defying the cliché that a woman's career comes to an end after
marriage, Saini made the transition from a marketing executive to a
cop trailing criminals after marrying into a business family.
"Initially my family was sceptical about whether I would be able to
cope up with the pressures of the job, but seeing my dedication they
supported me completely," Saini told IANS.
"After my marriage and becoming a mother, I started preparing for
civil services and succeeded in getting through in the first
attempt. Whenever I studied I gave my 100 percent so that I could
spend quality time with my child," she said.
Saini, an IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, was the only
married woman with a kid among eight other women in the 2005 batch.
"I sort of surprised everybody by becoming the best athlete in my
batch," she quipped.
Saini got her first posting as ASP, Moradabad, after two years of
training. Her stint with fame came when she unearthed the
high-profile kidney racket in the first six months of her service
following a labourer's complaint.
Subsequent to the revelation, she was all over the national and
international media giving briefs of developments in the case.
"It was like any other complaint from a small time labourer about
the removal of his kidney two years ago. We were not aware that we
were trailing a well-ensconced racket.
"When we conducted searches at places in Meerut and Gurgaon, the
skeletons in the cupboard came tumbling out and with the arrest of
(kingpin) Amit Kumar's aide Upendra Kumar everything fell into
perspective."
She smoothly juggles her profession and family. From late night
patrolling in her area to attending the parent-teacher meetings of
her children, she manages it all.
Being from the fairer sex, 32-year-old Saini has had to prove her
prowess to handle tough cases time and again.
"Many a time, being a woman, I have been asked by my seniors to go
for soft tasks so that I can spend time with my family. But my
current senior superintendent of police supported me during the
probe of the kidney racket. So it differs from person to person,"
she said.
According to her, Indian society's view on women impedes their
progress.
"During the 'mohalla' (colony) meetings, women never turn up despite
my repeated requests. It is very hard to get them out of their
houses to voice their concerns to police," she said.
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