Hailing from the industrial city of Ludhiana, Ajay Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has once again found himself in the national spotlight.Popularly known as the “Singham of UP” and also nicknamed the “Doctor-Cop” for having trained as a dentist before joining the elite civil services, Sharma is currently at the centre of a political controversy in West Bengal.Appointed as an Election Commission Police Observer during the 2026 Assembly elections, Sharma recently came under scrutiny after a video surfaced allegedly showing him at the residence of Jahangir Khan, a TMC candidate and close aide of Abhishek Banerjee, in South 24 Parganas district.Yet, in Ludhiana, Sharma is remembered less for the controversy and more for his grounded upbringing, academic brilliance and disciplined lifestyle.Residents of Vikas Nagar vividly recall seeing Sharma cycling through the neighbourhood streets alongside his younger brother, Amit Pal Sharma, who later went on to become a 2016-batch IAS officer. The two brothers, both doctors before entering the civil services, are known to share a close bond and were recently deployed together for the smooth conduct of the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.Those who know the family say the roots of their success lie firmly in Ludhiana.The brothers studied at RS Model School in Shastri Nagar, affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board, and were known for their simplicity and focus even during their school years.“The glamour of the city never touched them. They remained deeply committed to studies and hard work,” said Pardeep Dhall, a local resident and office-bearer of a temple committee in Vikas Nagar.Their father, Amarjeet Sharma, a retired Punjabi lecturer from Government School, Basti Jodhewal, is widely remembered in the locality for his modest lifestyle and dedication to education. Known for cycling to school, he was also respected for offering free guidance to civil services aspirants.“Many of his students have gone on to excel in life, with several serving in senior government positions today,” Dhall said.According to residents, it was Amarjeet Sharma’s strong emphasis on discipline and education, along with the unwavering support of their mother, Prem Sharma, who devoted herself to raising the family, that shaped both brothers’ careers. Despite the current media glare surrounding Ajay Sharma, neighbours in Ludhiana describe the family as low-profile and deeply rooted in values of humility and public service.“Even amid Ludhiana’s fast-paced lifestyle, Ajay and Amit always stayed focused on their goals. They chose hard work over glamour,” said another resident.Known for his command over both Hindi and Punjabi, Sharma is also said to be a keen admirer of Punjabi music.