The Maharashtra Police force is poised for a significant leadership change as the tenure of current Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla concludes. Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sadanand Date, who currently heads the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is the frontrunner to take over the state's top police post.
Imminent Leadership Transition in State Police
The Maharashtra government has formally requested the Centre to repatriate 1990-batch IPS officer Sadanand Date to the state cadre. This move paves the way for his appointment as the next police chief. Incumbent DGP Rashmi Shukla's tenure is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025, marking the conclusion of her two-year term.
According to a state government officer, the administration's preference for Date has been clear for several months. The only potential obstacle was Date's ongoing involvement in a critical national investigation. "NIA is currently probing the high-profile Delhi blast case," the officer noted. "However, the state government has expressed its keenness to have Date at the helm of the state police." The officer added that Date himself is open to returning to his home state of Maharashtra.
A Decorated Officer with a Stellar Record
Sadanand Date is widely respected for his integrity and decisive leadership. He rose to national prominence for his bravery during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. His courageous actions were instrumental in rescuing 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.
Date's illustrious career in Maharashtra includes several key postings:
- Chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
- First Police 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.
Beyond his policing acumen, Date is also a highly educated officer. He holds a doctorate from Pune University and is a qualified cost and management accountant from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).
Tenure and Precedent
If appointed, Sadanand Date is expected to receive a fixed two-year tenure as DGP, which would last until December 2027. This practice of granting a stable tenure to police chiefs was initiated by the state government following the Supreme Court's directives in the Prakash Singh case on police reforms.
Rashmi Shukla, the outgoing DGP, was appointed on January 3, 2024, and was set to retire on June 30 the same year. However, she became the first officer in Maharashtra to be granted the two-year tenure, which now concludes at the end of this year. The anticipated appointment of Date signifies a continuation of this policy aimed at ensuring operational independence and long-term planning for the state police force.
