Who Is Hemant Karkare? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Hemant Karkare was born on December 12, 1954. He dedicated his life to serving the Indian police and is best remembered for his courageous actions during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Tragically, he lost his life while confronted with terrorism on November 26, 2008, at the age of 54. In 2009, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration. Karkare is celebrated for his bravery, integrity, and commitment to public service, leaving behind a legacy that inspires many in the police and defense sectors.
| Occupation | Service |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 12, 1954 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Nagpur, Madhya Pradesh, India (present-day Maharashtra) |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Hemant Karkare's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Hemant Karkare's height and weight may not be readily available, he was known for his sturdy and fit physique that was common among law enforcement professionals. His precise measurements remain largely unreported.
The three officers, along with four constables, had received information that Sadanand Date had been injured in the gunfire at the Cama and Albless Hospital for women and children. Located at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), a ten-minute drive from the hospital, they took a Toyota Qualis and proceeded in that direction.
Salaskar was driving, Kamte in the passenger seat, Karkare in the second row, and the four constables, including Jadhav, were in the back row of seating. According to Jadhav, five minutes later, two terrorists stepped out from behind a tree and opened fire with AK-47 automatic rifles.
The six policemen, other than Jadhav, were all killed quickly in the gunfire. Kamte was the sole officer who managed to retaliate, wounding terrorist Ajmal in the arm.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Hemant Karkare was married to Kavita Karkare, with whom he had three children. He was a devoted family man who balanced his demanding career while fostering strong family relationships. Karkare's contributions to his family and community continue to resonate with those who knew him. His personal life, including family dynamics, played a crucial role in shaping the man he became as a leader and officer.
In the book The Last Bullet, Vinita Kamte - wife of the Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte who was killed with Karkare in the 26/11 terrorist attacks, alleges that the Mumbai Police ignored crucial information during the attacks.
Vinita claims to expose Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria's "feigned ignorance" about the deaths of Kamte, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Karkare and senior inspector Vijay Salaskar in the Rang Bhawan Lane of Mumbai.
Vinita also claims that Karkare’s repeated pleas for reinforcement to block the passage of the terrorists fleeing Cama Hospital went unheeded for over an hour.
Net Worth and Salary
As a prominent police officer in India, Hemant Karkare had a respectable income. Although specific figures regarding his net worth at the time of his passing are not publicly documented, it is believed that he earned a commendable salary reflective of his high rank and responsibilities in the Maharashtra Police Force. Posthumously, his standing has continued to elevate his family's legacy within India.
Career, Business, and Investments
Karkare's career spanned several decades, during which he held several critical positions within the Maharashtra Police. He was involved in numerous high-profile investigations and played a pivotal role in combating terrorism in India. His notable leadership during the Mumbai attacks showcased his commitment to protecting citizens, a hallmark of his career. While there are no public records of significant business ventures or investments, Karkare's legacy mainly resides in his contributions to the law enforcement community.
Karkare did his primary schooling from Chittranjan Das Municipal Primary School, Wardha and then received his middle school and high school education from New English High School, Nagpur. He obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur in 1975.
After graduation he worked for the National Productivity Council of the Government of India and then Hindustan Lever Limited (now called Hindustan Unilever Ltd.), India's largest FMCG company.
Social Network
Though Hemant Karkare did not have a social media presence during his lifetime, his impact on society continues to be recognized on various platforms dedicated to remembering heroes of India. After his tragic demise, many pages and groups have been created to honor his legacy, share his story, and commemorate the sacrifices made by police officers in India.
Various issues have been raised over the years about the quality of the subsequent investigation and key pieces of evidence. In an investigation, Headlines Today, an Indian news agency, found that a substandard bulletproof jacket had been issued to Mr. Karkare.
Though, according to the post mortem report, the quality of the vest was not a factor in his death as bullets did not pierce the vest. Concerns in the media about the quality of the vest continue because the vest itself was, according to Indian authorities, misplaced in the hospital.
Education
Hemant Karkare's educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Science, completing his education at the prestigious Shivaji University. His commitment to learning and professionalism propelled him into the Indian police service, offering a solid foundation for his notable career.
On 8 September 2006, a series of bomb blasts took place in Malegaon, Maharashtra. On 29 September 2008, three bombs exploded in Modasa, Gujarat and Malegaon, Maharashtra killing eight people, and injuring 80. Several unexploded bombs were found in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Hemant Karkare, as the chief of the state Anti-Terror Squad, led the investigation into the 2008 Malegaon blasts. In late October 2008, the ATS arrested eleven suspects, including a former ABVP student leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Swami Amritananda alias Dayanand Pandey, a retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay and a serving Army officer Lt. Col.
Prasad Shrikant Purohit. Most of the accused belonged to a Hindutva group called Abhinav Bharat with prior links to Sangh Parivar organisations. Karkare's ATS identified, for the first time, Hindutva organisations as being responsible for terrorism in India, and political commentators began to call it Hindutva terror or Saffron terror.
