Amod Kanth

Amod K. Kanth
Born (1947-11-21) 21 November 1947
Ranchi, Jharkhand
EducationM.S. College (B.A. History)

Patna University (M.A. History)

Delhi University (L.L.B)
Known forIPS officer; Rajiv Gandhi assassination investigation; transistor bomb blast cases; anti-Khalistani terrorism; Charles Sobhraj case; Jessica Lal murder case; Lalit Maken murder case; General A. S. Vaidya murder case; BMW hit-and-run case; 1984 Delhi anti-Sikh riots; Harshad Mehta case; Jain Hawala case; Prayas; DCPCR; Domestic Workers Sector Skill Council

Amod K. Kanth is an Indian social activist and an advocate for child rights. He is a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and the founder of the NGO Prayas.[1]

Kanth joined the IPS in 1974, serving primarily in Delhi, and attained the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) for Goa and subsequently for Arunachal Pradesh.[2]

Education

Kanth holds a B.A. in history from M.S. College, Motihari, a Master of Arts in history from Patna University, and an LL.B. from Delhi University.[3]

Profession and occupation

Kanth is the founder and a mentor of the Prayas JAC Society, a Voluntary Organization & Allied organizations like the JSS (Jan Shikshan Sansthan) Ministry of Skill Development & Education GOI.[4]

Jt.Coordinator NITI-CSOs Standing Committee of NITI Aayog.[5]

Previously, Kanth worked as the chairman of the Domestic Workers Sector Skill Council (DWSSC) & Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) & Former DGP (IPS).[6]

Career

Police

Kanth received the President's Police Medal and a Gallantry Award for protecting civilians during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.[7] He was involved in multiple investigations, including those into the assassinations of Rajiv Gandhi and Lalit Maken, as well as cases related to narcotics and child abuse.[8]

Activism

In 1988, Kanth founded Prayas, an organization established to address the welfare, education, and protection of children, youth, women[1] and other vulnerable groups. Prayas JAC Society was established to support the welfare and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection, as well as juveniles in conflict with the law. The organization has since expanded its work to include child development and socio-economic support programs for marginalized communities in various regions. It also supports women through self-help groups, income-generation initiatives, and entrepreneurship training.[9]

From 2007 to 2011, he was the chairman of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR).[10][11][12] Under his leadership, DCPCR appealed against the decriminalization of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.[13] In its arguments, attorney Amit Anand Tiwari, representing DCPCR, stated: "We studied various materials from medical journals and found studies that show that children of LGBT parents were more prone to social stigmatisation. In decriminalising homosexuality, the High Court did not provide any protection as far as adoption laws were concerned – whether gay and lesbian couples can adopt children, and whether they have the right to adopt. These issues were not addressed by the High Court order". Kanth added: "Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and under Indian laws, every child has a right to a family. And family is clearly defined as mother and father. Therefore, the High Court order was a direct denial of the child's right to a family and right to parenthood". The Commission's final submissions to the Supreme Court did not mention the issue of child rights protection.[13]

He has contributed to policy discussions of the Indian Government and participated in youth-related initiatives of the UN, UNICEF, and the US government, as well as child and youth programs in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.[14]

Writing

Kanth published two books based on his police diaries: Khaki in Dust Storm and Khaki on Broken Wings. The first volume recounts investigations conducted during periods of political violence and security challenges, including the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi and the Delhi riots. The second volume details his accounts of high-profile criminal investigations and examines the criminal justice system.[15]

Politics

Kanth contested the Sangam Vihar Assembly Constituency of Delhi State as an Indian National Congress candidate in November 2008.[16] He lost the 2008 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, finishing as runner-up by 3,589 votes.

Controversies

In April 2023, the Supreme Court of India revoked a summons issued to Kanth for allegedly allowing more people into the Uphaar Cinema than was permitted by the building's maximum occupancy during the Uphaar Cinema fire. The court stated this decision was not due to innocence but instead insufficient jurisdiction.[17]

In April 2025, Kanth took legal action against the television show The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case for alleged defamation of himself and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Kanth claimed the show misrepresented and fabricated aspects of the investigation of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination to the point it was defamatory.[8]

Works

  • Kanth, Amod (2021). Khaki in Dust Storm. ISBN 978-93-88630-87-0.
  • Kanth, Amod K. (18 March 2023). Khaki on Broken Wings. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-93-88912-12-9.

References

  1. ^ a b "Amod K. Kanth - Jaipur Literature Festival". jaipurliteraturefestival.org. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Goa govt 'relieves' DGP Kanth". The Times of India. 26 November 2004. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Home - Delhi University". www.du.ac.in. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  4. ^ "About Amod Kanth – Amod Kanth". Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  5. ^ "About Amod Kanth – Amod Kanth". Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  6. ^ "About Amod Kanth – Amod Kanth". Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  7. ^ "HC dismisses petition against Amod Kanth's police medal". The Times of India. 8 April 2011.
  8. ^ a b Sharma, Seenu (2 April 2025). "Amod Kanth slams web series 'The Hunt-The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case' for misrepresenting his role". IndiaTV News.
  9. ^ "Amod Kanth – TIP Report Hero". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  10. ^ Sobhana K (2008). "Kanth to head new child rights panel for Delhi". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  11. ^ Staff reporter (2008). "I shall be an agent of change: Former cop Amod Kanth". India Today. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  12. ^ Staff Reporter (2008). "Amod Kanth spells out his plans in new role". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 February 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ^ a b "Why Delhi child rights commission opposed de-criminalisation of gay sex". Firstpost. 14 December 2013.
  14. ^ "A Profile of Amod K. Kanth" (PDF). Prayas. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  15. ^ WebDesk, Tehelka. "For all his so-called charm, Sobhraj was a pure evil: Amod K Kanth". Tehelka. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  16. ^ Staff Reporter (2008). "MLAs at your doorstep". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  17. ^ "Uphaar tragedy: SC revokes former IPS officer's summons order". INDIA TODAY. 3 April 2023.
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