In his 34-year career, controversy has been a constant companion

He is often clad in a white shirt and black trousers as he never knows when a court will summon him. He keeps a hockey stick in his official vehicle as he knows it comes in handy to discipline law breakers.

He is often clad in a white shirt and black trousers as he never knows when a court will summon him. He keeps a hockey stick in his official vehicle as he knows it comes in handy to discipline law breakers. For Vasant Raghunath Dhoble, 54, assistant commissioner of police, controversy has always been part of his 34-year career in the Mumbai police. And now critics call him Mumbai's party pooper.

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Not long ago, in 2003-04, Dhoble had spread terror amongst unauthorised hawkers in south central Mumbai when he was an inspector at the Byculla police station. His action prompted the hawkers’ union to take out several morchas and meet higher-ups in the department, but Dhoble remained unfazed and continued his action till he completed his tenure in Byculla.

A few years before that, Dhoble got into trouble following the encounter killing of alleged Abu Salem gang operative Abu Sayma alias Javed Fawda. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court.

Dhoble had created ripples in the Dawood Ibrahim gang when he arrested top Dawood lieutenant Sharad Shetty in 1987 during his posting in the crime branch. This forced Shetty to flee to Dubai after he came out on bail never to return Mumbai again, knowing that Dhoble was waiting for him.

Those who know Dhoble know his style of functioning. Highly reclusive, he is known for his integrity and eye for detail. Dhoble leads a simple life; he is a vegetarian and a teetotaler.