While working with Azad Maidan police station, Joshi was sent to Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on deputation to probe the sensational 2006 serial train blasts case in Mumbai.
54-year-old senior inspector of police Vilas Joshi was given a farewell by his colleagues, friends and relatives at Chandanwadi crematorium on Sunday afternoon. As Joshi was given state honour during his final journey, tears rolled down from the eyes of his family members.
The Chandanwadi area was cordoned off by the police and the Anti-Terrorism Cell, Dog Squad and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad did anti-sabotage checks in and around the cemetery. Around 40 policemen were put on bundobust to keep peace in the area.
From JJ Hospital, Joshi's body was first taken to his Tardeo residence for relatives and friends to pay their homage. Joshi's family members broke down and they were inconsolable when the body arrived from the hospital. Around 2pm, the body was brought to the cemetery in an ambulance escorted by several police vehicles.
"It is a huge loss to the family. We are yet to come to terms with it," said Joshi's younger brother Vivek. Vivek himself is a police officer posted with Thane police.
Joshi was known as a polite officer and a good human being by his friends. "Vilas was very a kind and helpful person. Around 20 years ago when I had come to Mumbai and had no place to stay, Vilas allowed me to stay at his residence so that I can prepare for my law exams," said Anil Patil, a family friend.
Sudhir Sohone, a classmate of Joshi, said, "I had met Vilas at Shivaji Park for lunch a few days ago. I could never imagine that I would not be able to see him again. It is a personal loss for us."
Other friends and relatives present at the funeral too expressed grief and shock. "Vilas was always good and helpful to his subordinates and colleagues. He has served in the department for so long. We are shocked that someone from his department killed him. Vilas was an upright police officer and would never bow down to any sort of pressure," said a fellow police officer, on condition of anonymity.
Top brass of the state police force, including director general of police Sanjeev Dayal, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria, joint commissioners Deven Bharti, Dhananjay Kamlakar and many other senior officers came to pay homage to their colleague.
As the last rites were being performed by Joshi's brother Ganesh, who works as an officer with the Regional Transport Office, a group of policemen from the Police Band paid state honour to Joshi and three rounds were fired.
Dayal and Maria offered their condolences to Ganesh and other family members. Joshi is survived by his wife and twin daughters Radhika and Sanika, both of whom have appeared for their tenth standard exams.
About Vilas Joshi
Vilas Joshi joined the police department in 1986 as a sub-inspector and was first posted with VP Road police station. Joshi then went on to work with several other police stations in the city, including Azad Maidan and RAK Marg police stations as a detection and crime officer. While working with Azad Maidan police station, Joshi was sent to Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on deputation to probe the sensational 2006 serial train blasts case in Mumbai. Joshi's father worked as a Talathi with the state revenue department.
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