Dhani Ram Mittal, the Thief Who Pretended to be a Judge and Bailed Out Criminals, Passes Away at 85

Mittal, who passed away at the age of 85 due to health issues on a Thursday, was known for his extensive criminal record. He was implicated in over 150 theft cases across Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, and had been incarcerated more than 90 times. A senior police officer, seeking anonymity, revealed that Mittal had direct involvement in over 1,000 cases of theft, cheating, impersonation, and forgery in his lifetime. According to police sources, Mittal’s criminal activities date back to 1964 and continued unabated.

One senior Delhi police officer recounted an incident where Mittal stole cars from the parking lot of Jhajjar court in Haryana for personal use. Additionally, it was discovered that Mittal posed as a judge in Jhajjar, issuing orders for the release of prisoners serving lengthy sentences. Despite being well-educated – having attained a first-class BSc degree from Rohtak and later completing an LLB from Rajasthan – Mittal chose a life of crime. After his LLB, he worked as a clerk for various advocates but indulged in stealing cars for personal enjoyment.

He was also found to have forged documents to secure a job as a station master, wherein he served from 1968 to 1974. Mittal’s criminal activities did not cease with age, as he was arrested in 2016 at the age of 77 for stealing a car in Rani Bagh. This marked his 95th arrest. Following his death, Mittal was cremated by his son at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat.