The highly anticipated book “The Brahmastra Unleashed”, authored by retired IPS officer Mr. D. Sivanandhan, was officially launched at the MCC School auditorium in Chetpet, Chennai. The book was formally released by the Guests of Honour comprising eminent retired IPS officers, Mr. R.K. Raghavan IPS (RTD), Mr. Yashovardhan Azad IPS (RTD), and Professor Dr. Mohan Rajan, Vice President AIOS. The event was jointly organized by Professor Dr. S. Natarajan, Chairman of Sundaram Natarajan Blind Free India Foundation (NGO), in collaboration with the Chennai International Centre.
Set in Mumbai’s Turbulent Era
The book is set in Mumbai in the 1980s and 90s. During that period, India’s commercial capital was plagued by heinous crimes such as murders, extortion, gang wars, and kidnappings. This led to a rampant breakdown in law and order, leaving the general public grappling with fear. Due to the growing influence of underworld dons, the government and the police began losing the trust of the people. At this critical time, the city needed a transformation through strong action by the police force. A key figure in this transformation was Mr. D. Sivanandhan, the former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai. He played a pivotal role in restoring peace to the streets of Mumbai.
A Legacy of Leadership and Courage
As the former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, and later the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, Mr. Sivanandhan was committed to restoring law and order through powerful and fearless initiatives. His leadership was instrumental in dismantling the underworld networks and helping the city’s residents feel safe. His vivid, real-life account offers readers a gripping, behind-the-scenes look at India’s battle against organized crime and terrorism.
Insights from the Author
Speaking at the event, Mr. D. Sivanandhan said, “With journalists and others writing bestsellers and singing the praises of gangsters and criminals, somebody has to relate what happened to annihilate them. Mumbai was under the control of dons such as Haji Mastan, Varadaraja Mudaliar and others who undertook all sorts of illegal activities such as smuggling and bloodshed. Businessmen were being shot at. The Brahmastra taken up to annihilate this was the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999. This book is dedicated to the Mumbai police.”
A Distinguished Career
A 1976-batch IPS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, Mr. Sivanandhan is a highly decorated officer who also served as Commissioner of Police in Thane and Nagpur, as well as Special IG of Anti-Naxal Operations. During his tenure as the head of the Mumbai Crime Branch, he was pivotal in cracking down on some of the most dangerous criminal elements in the country.
Praise from Eminent Personalities
Dr. Mohan Rajan said, “Rarely do you get a competent and upright police officer with humility, compassion and empathy. His book has you literally glued, each chapter more interesting than the other.”
Mr. Yashovardhan Azad said, “He is from Pollachi, came to Chennai, then went to Maharashtra, and to be accepted as the darling of Mumbai is perhaps his greatest achievement. He is the pride of Tamil Nadu. Perhaps no one else has so candidly exposed the real underbelly of Mumbai — the brutality, the devastation, the impact on people.”
Dr. R.K. Raghavan said about the book, “Sivanandhan describes in absorbing detail the dons Dawood Ibrahim, Varadaraja Mudaliar, Chotta Rajan and others. The book gives the strong message that crime can succeed only tentatively.”
Beyond the Pages
Mr. Sivanandhan is also the co-author of the best-selling book “Chanakya’s 7 Secrets of Leadership” and the founder of Roti Bank Mumbai, a non-profit organization that has served over 20 million meals to the underprivileged since its inception in 2017.
“The Brahmastra Unleashed” is not just about the triumph of inspiring law enforcement but also resilience, leadership, and public service. The book is now available across major bookstores and online platforms.
