In a significant administrative move, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and current chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Sadanand Date, has been repatriated to his home cadre of Maharashtra. He is widely expected to take over as the state's Director General of Police (DGP) once the incumbent, Rashmi Shukla, retires on December 31, 2024.
A Distinguished Career and the Path to the Top Post
Sadanand Date, a 1990-batch IPS officer, was appointed as the head of the premier anti-terror agency, the NIA, in March 2023. His career in Maharashtra is marked by several high-profile postings, including leading the state's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and serving as Joint Commissioner of Police for both Crime and Law & Order in Mumbai.
Officer Date is perhaps most famously known for his heroic actions during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. He bravely engaged terrorist Ajmal Kasab in a gunfight at Cama Hospital, sustaining injuries in the process. For this act of exceptional courage, he was awarded the President's Police Medal for Gallantry in 2009.
Throughout his three-decade-long career, Date has built a formidable reputation as one of the most honest and highly professional officers in the IPS. He is recognized for his initiatives in police reform, improving service delivery, organizational development, counter-terrorism strategies, community policing, and even police welfare. His accolades include the Mahatma Gandhi Peace and Communal Harmony award and the Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2007.
The Selection Process and Tenure Considerations
According to officials, Date's name was among half a dozen top IPS officers shortlisted by the Maharashtra government for the coveted DGP's post. However, his appointment was not a foregone conclusion. A key point of uncertainty was whether the central government would relieve him from the NIA, given that he was directly overseeing the crucial case against 2008 Mumbai blasts case mastermind Tahawwur Rana, who was extradited to India earlier this year.
His repatriation now clears the path for his appointment. The selection is governed by the Supreme Court's directive in the Prakash Singh case, which mandates a minimum two-year tenure for a DGP. The current DGP, Rashmi Shukla, was appointed in January 2024 and received an extension until December 31, 2025. Consequently, once appointed, Sadanand Date is expected to serve as Maharashtra's police chief until the end of 2027.
What Lies Ahead for Maharashtra Police
The potential appointment of Sadanand Date brings a leader with extensive experience in both state policing and central agencies to the helm of the Maharashtra police force. His clean track record and hands-on experience in critical areas like counter-terrorism and investigation are seen as major assets.
As the state prepares for this leadership transition, the focus will be on how Date's expertise in organizational development and community policing translates into broader reforms for the force. His tenure will likely be closely watched, given the high-stakes security environment and the public's expectations for effective and accountable policing.
