26/11 hero Sadanand Date appointed as new DGP of Maharashtra; to take charge on Jan 3

Mumbai: Sadanand Vasant Date, a soft-spoken yet tough taskmaster and a decorated officer of the 26/11 terror attacks, was on Wednesday appointed as the new Director General of Maharashtra Police (DGP).

A 1990 batch IPS officer, the 59-year-old Date will succeed Rashmi Shukla, who retires on January 3.

He will have a fixed tenure of two years as the head of the over two lakh strong Maharashtra Police force.

Date's appointment follows his recent premature repatriation from central deputation where he was heading the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Date is widely hailed as one of the heroes of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

On the fateful day of November 26, 2008, known as 26/11 terror attacks, Date was serving as the Additional Commissioner of Police (Central Region) in 2008.

He had led a police team that pinned down Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail on the rooftop of Cama Hospital and despite being severely injured by grenade splinters, he continued to engage the terrorists.

He was later honoured with the President's Police Medal for Gallantry.

Even today, Date carries metallic splinters from that night embedded in his body, especially one near his eye and he describes them as "medals" from a war zone rather than injuries.

The officer brings a wealth of experience across state and central agencies as he has served in the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the first Commissioner of Police for Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar. Date also served the Mumbai Police as Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) and Crime.

He has also served as DIG in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and IG (Operations) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

A doctorate in Economic Offences from Pune University, Date takes charge at a crucial time for the state's law and order machinery when local body elections are being held.