Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Eminent International Handwriting and Fingerprint Expert Dewan K.S Puri Chairperson of Patiala Bureau of 
Identification Patiala were born on 14.3.1917. Dewan K.S Puri received his education from Government Mohindra College Patiala till 1934. Thereafter, he enrolled himself in the American distance education scheme and passed the graduate level examination of the Institute of Applied Sciences. He got training from various institutes at Calcutta, Phillaur, Cuttack, Trivandrum and Tokyo.
In 1936 he established the Patiala Bureau of Identification at Patiala and served as its chairperson till the last day of his life. He wrote more than 9 books and 100 Articles which were published in 32 languages in 28 countries. His 7 Articles were identified as Selected Articles by INTERPOL and were micro-filmed and distributed to the concerned countries. During his whole life he worked for justice, equity and fair-play with crusader’s spirit.
His expert opinions were sought in all the cases of Government Institutes, Banks, Universities and Courts of different States of India. He also authored many books on Forensic Science. Dewan K.S Puri even earned the appreciations and remarks of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and various High Courts such as “A rare expert in the field for giving cogent, elaborate well reasoned opinions irrespective of the fact whether it goes in favor or against the party engaging him”, “A Competent Handwriting Expert”, “Puri reasons far more convincing”, “Well known for his ability, knowledge, fairness, clarity & Integrity” and the credentials appear to be beyond challenge and never so assailed”.
He was also a consulting document expert of 40 pre-independent Indian States and Government Document Expert, Patiala and East Punjab States Union. He had served a member of Ohio Association of Questioned Documents Examiners (1957) and Honorary Associate Member of Washington State Bureau of Criminal Identification (1958). He was also a fellow of the American Association of Criminology (1962) apart from being associated with number of other such institutions. Dewan K.S Puri was the visiting Professor for Govt. Central Police College of Taiwan, Police Cadet Academy Thailand and Judicial Services Training Center Nepal. In recognition of his merit, The American Association of Criminology conferred a fellowship on him and also awarded him the tenth annual award for criminal investigation and outstanding public service in the year 1963. The other awards given to him were Crusade against Crime Award (Belgium) in the year 1968 and ROC Police Medal (Taiwan) in 1981. His Excellency, Governor of Punjab conferred “Patiala Rattan” Award posthumously at Patiala on 16.4.2000. In recognition of his achievements Municipal Corporation Patiala had named a road after his surname “Puri” in front of his residence as “Puri Road” starting from Arya Smaj Chowk to Triveni Chowk as a mark of honor for Dewan K.S Puri.
He expired on 9.2.1998 after a massive heart attack in Mumbai. In the memory of Late Dewan K.S Puri Punjabi University Patiala is awarding “Dewan K.S Puri Gold Medal” for the M.Sc. Forensic Science topper every year. The eldest son of Dewan K.S Puri namely Dr. Ajit Singh Puri is a noted physician settled at Patiala and the author of famous book “How to prevent common diseases” his wife Alka Puri very well looked after octogenarian Dewan K.S Puri during his life time, son Sukhbir Puri is settled in Mauritius, son Jagjit Puri IAS (Retd.) settled at Panchkulla and only daughter Veena Leekha with her husband Ved Leekha are settled at Pune. The other sons Satwant Puri Document Expert, Sukhdev Puri IPS who was the former DGP Mumbai and Sh. Balbir Puri who was settled in USA have already died.
The book “Selected Works of Dewan K.S Puri on Disputed Handwriting and Finger Prints Comparison” had been dedicated to the Nation by the Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Krishan Kant ji on 11.1.2002 in New Delhi. The second book “Forger is Smart but the Expert Smarter” bearing Articles of Dewan K.S Puri was published by Dewan K.S Puri Foundation in April 2003 with a preface by Sh. M.M Punchhi Former Chief Justice of India.
Presently, the Patiala Bureau of Identification office is being headed by Dr. Vikram Raj Singh Chauhan who remained Associate of Dewan K.S Puri during his life time.
The author Dr. Jaswant Singh Puri recipient of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) and Punjab Ratan is the grandson of the late Dewan K.S Puri. 22102021
Dr. Jaswant Singh Puri
Patiala.
M – 93165 20136
