Who Is Sadanand Date? Cop Who Fought Terrorist Ajmal Kasab Appointed Maharashtra DGP

Former National Investigation Agency chief Sadanand Date has been appointed as the new director general of police of Maharashtra for a fixed tenure of two years, the state government announced on Wednesday.

A 1990 batch Indian Police Service officer, Date will assume charge after incumbent Rashmi Shukla demits office on January 3.

Appointment for two-year tenure regardless of retirement date

According to the order issued by the state home department, Date's appointment as DGP will remain valid for two years, irrespective of his date of superannuation. He is scheduled to turn 60 in December next year. The decision marks his return to the state cadre just weeks after he was brought back from central deputation.

Date was repatriated to Maharashtra earlier this month at the request of the state government, which had identified him as its preferred choice for the top police post. His name was also cleared recently by the Union Public Service Commission, which had shortlisted three senior IPS officers for the role.

Career spanning ATS and NIA leadership roles

Before moving to New Delhi, Date headed the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad until March 2024. He then took charge as director general of the National Investigation Agency, India's premier counter-terror probe agency. His experience in both state and central policing is seen as a key factor behind his selection.

Along with Date, the UPSC panel had recommended Sanjay Verma, director general for legal and technical matters, and Ritesh Kumar, commandant general of Home Guards. The Maharashtra government ultimately opted for Date, citing his operational background and anti-terror credentials.

Role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks

Date is widely known for his actions during the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He was awarded the President's Medal for Gallantry for saving lives and confronting two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, including Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail.

At the time, Date was posted as additional commissioner of police for the Central Region. He led a small team of Mumbai Police officers to Cama and Albless Hospital in south Mumbai, where the attackers had taken lift operator Chandrakant Tikke hostage and were using him as a human shield. The terrorists had reached the hospital after carrying out shootings at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Injuries, losses and aftermath of the encounter

During the exchange of fire, the terrorists lobbed grenades at the police team. Date suffered a blackout following the blast, which allowed Kasab and Ismail to escape. He sustained injuries to his eyes, throat, chest and right knee, along with deep wounds on his left ankle. Two policemen from his team were killed in the gun battle.

Within minutes of fleeing the hospital, the attackers went on to kill then ATS chief Hemant Karkare, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and additional commissioner of police Ashok Kamte in a nearby lane.