Mumbai: Senior IPS officer Sadanand Vasant Date has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra, succeeding Rashmi Shukla, whose tenure ends on January 3.
Force One and Anti-Terrorism Cell Strengthened Under His Leadership
Following the 26/11 attacks, Date volunteered to lead ‘Force One’, Maharashtra’s elite counter-terrorism unit, becoming its first chief. He is also credited with strengthening the Anti-Terrorism Cell within the Mumbai Police.
A 1990-batch IPS officer, the 59-year-old Date is widely regarded as an upright, experienced and tough taskmaster. He will assume charge as the head of the over two lakh-strong Maharashtra Police force for a fixed tenure of two years. His appointment was welcomed in police circles.
Date’s appointment comes after his premature repatriation from central deputation, where he was serving as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The Union Cabinet Committee approved his repatriation on December 23, clearing the way for his appointment as Maharashtra DGP from January 3, 2026.
The state government had earlier granted a two-year extension to the outgoing DGP Rashmi Shukla, which concludes on December 31.
Widely Hailed 26/11 Hero with Gallantry Award
Widely hailed as one of the heroes of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Date was serving as Additional Commissioner of Police (Central Region) on November 26, 2008. During the terror siege, he led a police team that pinned down Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail near Cama Hospital. Despite sustaining serious injuries from grenade splinters, Date continued to engage the terrorists. He was later awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry.
Even today, Date carries metallic splinters from the attack embedded in his body, including one near his eye, which he has often described as “medals from a war zone.
UPSC Panel and Final State Government Selection
As per procedure, the state government had forwarded a panel of seven senior officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), including Date. The UPSC shortlisted three names and sent them back to the state, which made the final selection. Given his seniority and experience, Date was widely expected to be chosen.
Though Date is due to retire in December 2026, his appointment enables him to serve a full two-year term as DGP. During his distinguished career, Date has held several key positions, including Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) and Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) in Mumbai. He also served as the head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), during which he was promoted to the rank of Director General. He later went on to head the NIA, overseeing several major terror investigations, including the recent Delhi blast case.
His previous assignments also include serving as Police Commissioner of Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar, Special Inspector General in the CRPF in Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand, and as a senior officer in the CBI’s Economic Offences Wing.
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