Kiran Bedi Accused of Using Delhi Police for Unauthorised Surveillance on her Daughter

An investigative report by The News Minute has uncovered allegations that in 2003, Kiran Bedi, India’s first female Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, misused her position to conduct unauthorised surveillance on her daughter, Saina Bedi.

The investigation suggests that Kiran Bedi, who is also former Puducherry Governor, suspected Saina’s involvement in a visa scam and enlisted Delhi Police officials to monitor her activities without formal authorisation. The surveillance reportedly involved illegal access to Saina’s personal emails and phone records, facilitated by certain police officers.

Allegations of a Visa Scam and Personal Tensions

The News Minute had access to leaked emails of Kiran Bedi which reveals that Saina was in a relationship with Gopal Suri, a married hotelier in central Delhi. The two were allegedly involved in an illicit money -making scheme, leveraging Kiran Bedi’s public profile to facilitate visa approvals. Kiran Bedi was reportedly aware of these dealings and strongly disapproved. In one of her emails, she referred to Gopal’s business as “human trafficking” and expressed concerns that if Saina were investigated, the consequences could be devastating for her future.

Struggling between her role as a mother and a police officer, Kiran Bedi attempted various methods to dissuade Saina from her association with Gopal. She urged Saina to distance herself, pressured her to reconsider, and even reached out to people in Saina’s close circle. However, at the same time, she reportedly used her authority to mobilise a surveillance operation against her own daughter and her partner.

While stationed in New York for a UN posting, Kiran Bedi allegedly arranged for a network of friends, colleagues, and Delhi Police officers to monitor Saina’s activities. Emails accessed by The News Minute suggest that in addition to warning the public about Saina and Gopal’s visa dealings, Kiran Bedi used her connections within the police force to intensify surveillance efforts. The operation reportedly involved private investigators who were hired to physically tail the couple, along with secret recordings. Nearly two decades later, evidence has surfaced in the form of hundreds of emails, reports from a private detective agency, and over 30 hours of audio recordings stored in cassette tapes.

Despite these extensive efforts, there is no indication that any formal legal action was taken against Saina or Gopal by the police. When The News Minute reached out to the police officials allegedly involved in the surveillance, they did not respond to inquiries about whether the operation had received any official sanction.

One of the most startling revelations from the leaked documents is that the surveillance operation may have uncovered a potential lead in the 2003 sexual assault case of a Swiss diplomat. However, this information was never shared with investigators handling the case at the time.

The revelations in The News Minute’s investigation raise serious ethical and legal concerns about the alleged misuse of authority by a senior police officer for personal reasons. While Kiran Bedi has long been celebrated for her integrity and commitment to the rule of law, the evidence suggests a troubling contradiction—one where personal motives seemingly influenced the use of official resources. The failure to report a crucial lead in a high- profile criminal case further underscores the selective application of law enforcement power. As these allegations come to light, they spark broader questions about accountability within law enforcement and the extent to which those in positions of power can manipulate the system for personal interests.

It also highlights significant ethical and legal breaches, including violations of privacy and the failure to pursue legal action against a fraudulent visa operation despite having substantial evidence. The findings from The News Minute cast a shadow over Kiran Bedi’s legacy as a celebrated law enforcement officer, raising questions about the extent to which personal motives influenced her use of official resources.