New Delhi, September 2026 — Rakesh Asthana: Unmasking the Realities of India’s Biggest Criminal Cases

In a sweeping new exclusive interview on the StudyIQ IAS podcast, former IPS officer Rakesh Asthana peeled back the curtain on a career spent navigating India’s highest-stakes criminal investigations. What emerges is a raw portrait of tactical policing, political pressure, and the sheer grit required to face down both hardcore criminals and systemic crises.

Interrogating a Sitting Chief Minister One of the most defining moments of Asthana’s career was the infamous Bihar Fodder Scam. Investigating Lalu Prasad Yadav—then the sitting Chief Minister at the absolute peak of his political popularity—was no ordinary task. Asthana led a meticulous probe that culminated in a grueling six-hour interrogation. He highlighted that when confronting such powerful figures, maintaining a fiercely calm and composed posture is an investigator’s greatest shield against immense political pressure.

The Chilling Forensics of Godhra Shedding light on the tragic 2002 Godhra train burning, Asthana revealed startling forensic details often missed in public discourse. He noted that the heavy wooden railway sleepers at the scene remarkably did not burn, while evidence indicated that a staggering 160 liters of petrol had been strategically amassed to ignite the blaze. This strict reliance on hard crime-scene evidence was instrumental in piecing together a tragedy that altered the nation’s political landscape.

Surviving the Streets of Ahmedabad Asthana’s tactical instincts were forged early on the ground. Recalling the 1990-1991 communal riots in Ahmedabad, he described the perilous reality of riot policing. From ordering a single, calculated round of fire to halt an advancing mob, to learning grim local realities—such as the danger of going upstairs alone, as mobs would lock the ground floor and set the building ablaze—his early years were a masterclass in survival and urban control.

From History Teacher to Top Cop Behind the tough exterior lies a remarkably humble origin story. The son of a teacher from the Netarhat Residential Public School in modern-day Jharkhand, Asthana credited his school’s rigorous focus on general knowledge for his eventual success. Few know that before donning the khaki uniform, he spent a year teaching history to BA students at St. Xavier’s College in Ranchi to financially support his family after his father’s retirement.

Bottom Line Reflecting on his tumultuous career—including the highly publicized institutional clashes of 2018—Asthana’s ultimate message is one of psychological resilience. Facing down ruthless criminals and career-threatening controversies requires unbreakable inner peace. As Asthana pointed out, showing even a hint of under-confidence is an immediate invitation for a criminal to exploit you. In the world of high-stakes policing, unwavering conviction isn’t just a virtue; it is a vital survival tool.