The Maharashtra Government has appointed former National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Dr. Sadanand Vasant Date as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for the state. This significant appointment was officially announced on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
A Tenure Guided by Supreme Court Directives
The appointment aligns with the Supreme Court's landmark 2006 Prakash Singh judgment, which mandates a fixed two-year tenure for state police chiefs to prevent political interference in their functioning. Dr. Date, a distinguished 1990-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, will thus remain in the top post for a full two-year period. This is noteworthy as he is scheduled to retire in December 2026. He succeeds Rashmi Shukla, whose tenure concludes on January 3.
The move was widely anticipated, as the state government had previously requested the repatriation of Date from his central deputation role as the chief of the NIA in Delhi. His predecessor, Rashmi Shukla, also had a two-year tenure, though she was appointed with only six months remaining before her retirement.
The Profile of a Courageous and Scholarly Officer
Dr. Sadanand Date brings a formidable reputation as an officer with a clean image and a history of bravery. He is nationally recognized for his heroic actions during the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. As a senior officer, he directly confronted terrorists, and his swift thinking and courage were instrumental in the successful rescue of hostages at the Cama and Albless Hospital for women and children. For this act of exceptional gallantry, he was honoured with the President's Police Medal for Gallantry.
Beyond his field heroics, Date is known for his academic prowess and diverse administrative experience. Hailing from a humble background in Pune, he holds a doctorate from Pune University and is also a qualified cost and management accountant from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).
A Storied Career in Maharashtra Police
Date's career within the Maharashtra police force is extensive and varied. His key postings include:
- Chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
- First Commissioner of the newly formed Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) Police Commissionerate in 2020.
- Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) in Mumbai.
- Joint Commissioner of the Crime Branch in Mumbai city.
Immediately prior to his appointment as DGP, he was overseeing critical investigations, including the Delhi car blasts case, in his capacity as the NIA chief. Colleagues describe him as a dedicated workaholic and a meticulous officer, known for arriving at the office before official hours to review case files and make himself accessible to the public.
His appointment marks a new chapter for the Maharashtra police, led by an officer celebrated for both his operational courage and his intellectual depth.
