New Delhi: Former Delhi Police Commissioner Ajay Raj Sharma passed away on Monday night at a hospital in Noida after a prolonged illness. He was 81 and had been undergoing treatment for a lung infection for the past two weeks.
 

A 1966-batch Indian Police Service officer, Sharma was known for his tough policing and strategic crime-fighting initiatives. He was the first officer from outside the AGMUT cadre to lead Delhi Police, serving as commissioner from 1999 to 2002. Following this, he was appointed Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) and retired in 2004.
 

Born in Dehradun and educated in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Sharma graduated from Allahabad University in 1965. He cleared the civil services examination on his first attempt and chose the police service, starting his career in Uttar Pradesh. His early postings in Agra involved tackling criminal gangs operating along the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan borders.
 

Sharma played a key role in setting up Uttar Pradesh’s Special Task Force (STF) to counter organised crime. His team was responsible for eliminating notorious gangster Shri Prakash Shukla in 1998. Recognising his contributions, he was brought into the AGMUT cadre and took charge as Delhi Police Commissioner.
 

During his tenure in Delhi, the police force dealt with major security challenges, including the 2001 Parliament attack. Recalling his leadership, retired deputy commissioner Vijay Malik said, “He was a great character… always supportive of his staff. He would always back them during any challenge or critical situation.” Malik added, “Under his leadership, the force successfully cracked the Parliament attack case and apprehended the culprits. We will always miss him.”
 

BSF, where Sharma served as Director General, paid tribute on X, stating, “DG BSF & All Ranks pay heartfelt tributes to Ajai Raj Sharma, IPS, former DG BSF (2002-2004) on his demise. His visionary leadership and legacy continue to inspire us. Prahari Parivar stands in solidarity with his family.”


BI Bureau