FORMER Maharashtra Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar, who was instrumental in training and guiding Mumbai Police’s famous ‘encounter specialists’, died at a private hospital here on Friday.

Inamdar (79), suffering from age-related ailments, was undergoing treatment at the hospital since last week and breathed his last at 2.20 am, a police official said here.

Inamdar, who had investigated the infamous 1994 Jalgaon sex scandal among other high-profile cases, served as State DGP from October 1997 to January 2000.

The 1983 batch of State police officials, many among whom earned fame as ‘encounter specialists’ and were credited with breaking the back of the Mumbai underworld, had trained under Inamdar when he was director of the Maharashtra Police Academy.

After retirement, his trust, Arvind Inamdar Foundation, felicitated police officials of all ranks who had done noteworthy work every year.

The 1964-batch IPS officer served in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Solapur and Nashik during his illustrious career, said Pravin Dixit, former DGP. Dixit was his deputy when Inamdar was superintendent of police in Solapur district.

“He worked to eradicate crime and ensured police personnel’s well-being,” said Dixit.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid a tribute to Inamdar, calling him an officer dedicated to duty and values.