Meet woman, former IPS Officer, who handled Samjhauta Express bombings, took voluntary retirement to devote her life to…, her name is…
Wyatt Mason 
During her career, the IPS officer served as Superintendent of Police in various districts across Haryana and later rose to become IG of the Karnal range.
Bharti Arora, a former IPS officer from the 1998 Haryana cadre, made headlines when she chose to voluntarily step away from her high-ranking role as Inspector General of Police in Ambala. Instead of continuing her service until the usual retirement age, she decided to retire a full ten years early to devote her life fully to the worship and service of Lord Krishna.
During her career, Bharti Arora served as Superintendent of Police in various districts across Haryana and later rose to become IG of the Karnal range. She was widely respected for her strong leadership and no-nonsense attitude. Known for standing firm in difficult situations, she even took bold steps like arresting a well-known political leader during her time in service.
Bharti replaced 2001 batch IPS officer Y Puran Kumar after being transferred to Ambala from Karnal on April 29, 2021. She also held the additional charges of Karnal Range IGP till May 10.
Bharti Arora’s work as IPS officer
During her tenure in the Indian Police Service, Bharti Arora dealt with several high-profile and sensitive cases. One of the most significant cases she handled was the Samjhauta Express blast investigation in 2007, while serving as the Superintendent of Police. The tragic incident, which took place near Panipat, claimed the lives of 68 people—most of them Pakistani nationals—and was a major act of cross-border terrorism.
Her boldness came into the spotlight again in 2009, when she, as the SP of Ambala, arrested the then BJP MLA Anil Vij during the Congress-led government in Haryana. Today, Vij serves as Haryana’s Minister for Labour.
In 2015, she stood her ground during a controversy involving a senior IPS officer, Navdeep Singh Virk, accusing him of interfering in a rape investigation and allegedly threatening her—a claim he denied.
Bharti Arora also took an active role in social and administrative reforms. In 2016, she led a special police task force focused on cow protection, while also serving as the principal of the Motilal Nehru School of Sports in Sonipat—a rare dual role for a police officer.
Later, in 2020, she headed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) targeting immigration fraud in Haryana. Her team’s work was recognized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, receiving accolades in the following year for their thorough and impactful investigation.
Bharti Arora’s spiritual journey
Bharti Arora’s deep connection with Lord Krishna began to blossom in 2004, especially after she started visiting Vrindavan, the sacred town associated with Krishna’s life and teachings. Over the years, her bond with spirituality grew stronger, eventually guiding her toward a life rooted in devotion rather than duty.
In her retirement letter, she shared her heartfelt appreciation for the years spent in public service but also expressed a longing to walk the spiritual path paved by saints and sages. She wrote, “Now I wish to achieve the ultimate goal of life… and dedicate the rest of my life in loving devotional service of Lord Shri Krishna.”
Bharti Arora is married to Haryana Cadre’s IPS Officer Vikas Arora.
