A visionary policeman (1916-2003)
Rustamji was born on 22 May 1916 in Kamptee near Nagpur, and had his early education at St. Francis de Sales school. He later passed M.Sc. (Zoology) in 1936, standing first in the Nagpur University, and worked as Demonstrator in the same college for two years. He topped the examination for selection to the Indian Police (also sometimes referred to as the Imperial Police) in 1938 from the State of Central Provinces (presently known as Madhya Pradesh). As Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1942, he courageously dealt with the riots during the Quit India movement and was awarded the Police Medal for exemplary service. In 1947, he was posted as Superintendent of Police to Akola which is on the border of the erstwhile Hyderabad State. He took part in the Hyderabad Police Action for integrating the State into the Union of India. After a tenure as DIG (Deputy Inspector General) at Aurangabad, he was assigned the task of Chief Security Officer to Prime Minister Nehru in 1952.
In 1958 he was appointed Inspector General (IG) of Police, Madhya Pradesh. Armed dacoits had been thriving in the Chambal region for a long time. He used to keep a list of the gangs on his table and would cross out a name as he was eliminated or arrested. Acharya Vinoba Bhave who had the support of President Dr. Rajendra Prasad tried to convert the dacoits to a peaceful life. This caused a setback to the good work being done by the police and Rustamji criticised the approach of Acharya Bhave and had to face an enquiry. The people supported him and his honour remained unsullied. The police continued to eliminate the formidable gangs. He was awarded the Indian Police Medal for Distinguished Services in 1958.
Prior to 1965, the state police was responsible for the security of the Indo-Pakistan border. The inadequacy of this arrangement was realised when Pakistan attacked three posts in Kutch on 9 April 1965.The Border Security Force was raised under the Ministry of Home Affairs for security of Pakistan border on 1 December 1965, and Rustamji was appointed Director General of this organisation. BSF was made responsible for Indo-Pakistan land border and check transnational crime including smuggling. The immediate task was to ensure security of installations in Jammu and Kashmir (J& K) and check cross-border movements there. Some of the Armed Police battalions located there were made available to him, since BSF had no troops of its own then. Gradually, BSF raised its own force which expanded to 240,000. The presence of this force promoted a sense of security amongst the border people. The BSF capabilities were well-used in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. It was made responsible for training and supporting the Mukti-Bahini operations. Awami League leaders were invited to Delhi and later to Calcutta. Rustamji selected Mujibnagar from where liberation of Bangladesh was to be proclaimed. Along with the Army, the BSF undertook the stupendous task of looking after the refugees coming in large numbers. The officers and men fought with great courage and bravery, capturing many Pakistani posts on their own. The BSF personnel won one MVC, four KCs and eleven VrCs. Rustamji was honoured with the Padma Bhushan award in 1972.
He retired from the BSF on 31 May 1974 and was appointed Special Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs where he structured the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Central Industrial Security Force. He recommended formation of Coastal Guard for patrolling the maritime borders and set up the National Police Commission. He became a member of this Commission from 1978 to 1983, and visited Bihar. He exposed the condition of under trials who were being kept in jail for long periods without a trial. His articles in the Indian Express were the basis for the first Public Interest Litigation (PIL) as a result of which 40,000 prisoners were released all over India. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1991, the highest award that a policeman had received so far. He passed away on 2 March 2003.