IPS Puneet Gehlod: 9,000+ CCTV Cameras, 22,000 Citizens Connected, and ₹1.25 Crore Returned in Cyber Frauds in Dewas

IPS Puneet Gehlod is a 2017 Batch Officer of MP cadre and is currently posted as Superintendent of Police in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. The foundation of his mission is simple yet transformative: Policing with the people, for the people and by the people.

In Dewas, his approach has shifted policing from being reactive to proactive by building meaningful continuous engagement with the community.

Breaking, the perception that the police arrives only after a crime has occurred, SP Gehlod introduced the Police Chaupal initiative. Every evening,after the roll call at 5 PM, SHOs and ATPOs leave their police stations and go directly into villages and city wards, meeting people where they are.Even if there is no specific complaint, the dialogue continues.This direct presence during the crucial evening hours not only prevents disturbances like fights,alcohol-related issues and other conflicts but also builds trust. 

But the Chaupal is not just about presence it follows a structured agenda:-

The first focus is CCTV penetration under Operation Trinetram meaning Third Eye. Dewas today stands among the leading districts of the state with over 9,000 cameras installed across nearly 1,000 villages worth ₹4 crore, largely mobilized through community motivation. Gehlod has made technology a positive tool and collective shield for its people.

The second major component is cyber awareness. Earlier, victims of cyber frauds often did not know how to respond or where to go. Through consistent awareness about the helpline 1930, reporting of cybercrime has increased nearly four times and swift action has ensured that â‚¹1.25 crore has been returned to citizens under Operation Cyber.

The third transformative initiative is Digital Police Mitra a network of 1,100+ WhatsApp groups connecting 22,000+ citizens across Dewas. This has become a real time intelligence and awareness system. Whether sharing emergency guidelines during critical situations, preventing harassment by mass-reporting objectionable online content or solving serious crimes, the community responds instantly. In one case, when a bank employee was robbed of â‚¹22 lakh, CCTV visuals shared in the group led to identification and arrest of all accused within just 2 hours and the entire â‚¹22 lakh was recovered

The network also enables preventive awareness. Recently, after a fatal road accident caused by a truck lacking reflective radium tape, the police quickly shared the incident across these groups emphasizing that radium strips costing only â‚¹5 can save lives. The message spread across the district overnight. “We are simply organizing and harnessing the public’s strength and capacity The network of citizens is already very strong” He shared

Alongside community policing, Gehlot has also emphasized timely justice for the victim. By digitally integrating police, hospitals, prosecution and courts, Dewas achieved fast investigation in 81% of cases, with 68% charge sheets filed reducing manpower waste and allowing the police to focus on core policing. This pilot project has streamlined processes under the new criminal laws and is now being replicated to other districts. “Previously, delays happened because the police, hospital, forensic labs, prosecution, and courts all worked on separate systems. Officers spent a lot of time physically carrying files and reports from one place to another” he explained

Operation Pavitra another initiative, strong action against habitual offenders has further restored public confidence.With â‚¹25 crore enforced in bonds and measurable reductions in crimes such as vehicle theft and knife violence has made everyday life safer.

With the evolving nature of crime such as cybercrime and increasing urbanization, IPS Gehlod is setting a benchmark for the most effective policing model- one that works with the community.