On International Women’s Day 2026, Mumbai Police Sub-Inspector Anjali Wani has been recognized for her strong action against habitual offenders, setting a new benchmark for preventive policing in the city. Her work under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA) has led to the detention of over 50 habitual criminals, significantly reducing anti-social activities in her jurisdiction.

Impact on Crime Rates in DN Nagar

Wani currently serves at the DN Nagar Police Station, where she has been an externment officer since June 2022. Since her posting, she has initiated MPDA proceedings against more than 50 individuals, resulting in their preventive detention for up to one year. According to police data, the crime rate in DN Nagar has dropped by 22% compared to the same period in 2021.

Preparing an MPDA proposal requires detailed documentation and analysis of the accused’s criminal history, a process that can take nearly three months. Wani’s careful approach ensures that only the most dangerous individuals are targeted, reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses.

Notable Criminal Investigations

Among Wani’s notable investigations was a case at Dharavi where a nine-year-old boy was sexually assaulted. The CCTV footage captured only the back of the accused, but Wani managed to trace and arrest the suspect.

In another case involving the sexual assault of a mentally challenged girl, Wani conducted a careful investigation, arrested the accused, and prepared the chargesheet. In 2022, the court convicted the accused and sentenced him to 20 years of imprisonment. Following the judgment, the Mumbai Police Commissioner honoured Wani for her outstanding investigation.

Wani has also detected more than 20 narcotics cases under anti-drug laws and has received over 127 rewards during her police service. These rewards are given for significant contributions to criminal investigations and community safety.

Leadership During the Pandemic

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Wani played a crucial role at the Dharavi Police Station. She worked continuously for six months without taking leave and helped coordinate the relocation of nearly 75,000 migrant labourers from Dharavi to their native places.

In another incident during the pandemic, when a fellow police officer’s family in the police quarters tested positive for COVID-19, Wani took care of their nine-month-old baby for 15 days, as the child had not contracted the infection. Her actions highlighted her dedication and willingness to go the extra mile during a crisis.

Wani credits her parents for her achievements. ‘My parents never discriminated between sons and daughters. They raised me like a son and supported my education,’ she said. Her mother, Vijaya Arun Wani, studied up to SSC and strongly wished that her children should pursue higher education.

Wani has two highly educated sisters, Ashwini and Archana, while her brother Anurag is a mechanical engineer. Her father, Arun Wani, ran an automobile business but passed away due to kidney disease in 2015 while she was undergoing police training.

Originally from Barshi in Solapur district, Wani joined the police force after clearing the MPSC 2013-14 examination. She completed her police training in April 2015 and began her service in Mumbai in 2016. Since then, she has served at several police stations including Mahim, Dharavi, Dadar, and currently DN Nagar Police Station.

A black belt in karate, Wani says she had always dreamed of wearing the khaki uniform. She is the first police officer in her family. Speaking on the occasion of International Women’s Day, she said that after completing her M.Tech in Agricultural Engineering from Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University in Parbhani, she decided to appear for the MPSC examination.

Her work recently received appreciation from Deven Bharti during the monthly crime review meeting of the Mumbai Police. During the conference, senior officers highlighted Wani’s work as an example of how officers should handle preventive action against habitual offenders.

With her dedication, courage, and investigative skills, PSI Anjali Wani has emerged as one of the inspiring women officers of the Mumbai Police, setting an example for many aspiring officers.