Who is Amit Lodha, the Bihar IPS officer suspended for Khakee deal with Netflix?

Amit Lodha, the Bihar IGP (Inspector General of Police) who shot to fame with the Netflix web series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, is back in news because of the same web series. The 1998-cadre IPS officer has been suspended because on corruption charges. He was booked by the Special Vigilance Unit of Bihar for allegedly taking money for producing the web series.

Bihar | Amit Lodha,then IGP of Magadh,Gaya booked u/s of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988(as amended in 2018)& IPC for corruption allegations, financial irregularities as well as financial deals with Netflix & Friday Story Teller while serving as IPS officer: Spl Vigilance Unit

— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2022

What is the case? The Special Vigilance Unit of Bihar filed an FIR against IPS Amit Lodha for using his position as a government officer to make financial gains.

• The complaint said that Amit Lodha made a deal with the production house Friday Story Teller, which is the legal representative of Netflix, while he was serving as an IPS officer.
• It said that Lodha is a serving IPS officer and not an established author, and that he can't sign a deal with a firm for a web series.
• Lodha has also been accused of receiving Rs 12,372 from the deal and Rs 38.25 lakh was credited in the bank account of his wife.
• The FIR said that there was an agreement between the firm and Lodha's wife to facilitate "transaction of illicitly acquired wealth".

Amit Lodha speaks: Lodha, meanwhile has said that he has not done anything illegal.

On his Twitter account, Amit Lodha wrote, "Sometimes life can throw you the most difficult challenges, particularly when you are right. It's during these times your strength of character is reflected. Need your prayers and support to come out victorious."

Who is Amit Lodha? Amit Lodha became known to the public after the Netflix web series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. 

• The show starring Karan Tacker and Avinash Tiwary was based on real-life events, inspired from Amit Lodha's book Bihar Diaries: Story of How Bihar's Most Dangerous Criminal was Caught. The book details how Lodha caught the dreaded gangster Pintu Mahto, a sharp-shooter of the Ashok Mahto gang, who were notorious in the Sheikhpura district of Bihar.

Amit Lodha was born on February 22,1974 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. 

The 48-year-old IPS officer did his graduation from IIT Delhi. Amit cracked the IIT entrance exam in his first attempt itself and got enrolled at the prestigious institute.

However, his experience at IIT was not pleasant. In an interview, he revealed that he went into depression and had suicidal thoughts while there. His marks also suffered.

The UPSC turn: Amit's life took a new turn when he cracked the UPSC exam. By 1998, he was an IPS officer.

• Life as IPS officer: Amit Lodha was considered a very daring and honest policeman. Before being posted to Bihar, he was in Rajasthan.
• He became popular in Bihar because he would tell people to call him directly.
• He is also a close friend of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.
• In Bihar, he is renowned for tracking and catching hold of the Mahto gang. 
• He was also awarded the prestigious President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the Police medal for Gallantry and the Internal Security Medal for several of his operations in Bihar.
• At present, he is the IGP of Bihar.