A 1977-batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre, Gupta was commended for ensuring strict law and order during infamous 2002 Gujarat riots in Surat as the then Police Commissioner.
He, however, could not make it to the top three contenders for the CBI despite being shortlisted as six top candidates for the post.
As Police Commissioner of Surat, Gupta had ensured that no hooligans were spared and strict vigil of police was maintained across the district.
Later, he moved out to the Central Vigilance Commission and then proceeded to CBI as Additional Director. He was later promoted as special director.
During his tenure at CBI, Gupta supervised probe in 2G spectrum scam which saw many political heavyweights, corporate and bureaucrats landing behind bars for corruption in the allotment of spectrum to telecom companies.
Known as upright officer, Gupta has the distinction of being the first CBI officer who was trained in FBI National Academy in the United States in 1993.
He served in CBI from 1990 to 1998, including as DIG (anti-corruption).