Maharashtra Appoints Former NIA Chief as New Police Director General

The Maharashtra government has appointed Sadanand Date, the former head of the NIA, as the new Director General of Police. This decision comes as Date prepares to succeed Rashmi Shukla, who is retiring soon. With a distinguished career, including leading the Maharashtra ATS and receiving a gallantry award for his bravery during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Date's appointment is expected to bring significant leadership to the state's police force. His experience and past contributions to public safety make him a notable choice for this critical role.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 31, 2025, 18:05 IST

New Appointment in Maharashtra Police

On Wednesday, the Maharashtra government announced the appointment of Sadanand Date, the former Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for a two-year term. Date, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1990 batch, will succeed Rashmi Shukla, who is set to retire on January 3. According to the appointment letter issued by the Home Department, Date's tenure will extend beyond his retirement date, as he will turn 60 in December next year.

Date's Career and Contributions

Until March 2024, Date served as the head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) before moving to New Delhi to lead the NIA. He was recalled to Maharashtra two weeks ago at the state's request, as the government intended to appoint him as DGP. Last week, Date was among three IPS officers recommended by the Union Public Service Commission, alongside Sanjay Verma, DGP (Legal and Technical), and Ritesh Kumar, Commandant General of Home Guards.

Recognition for Bravery

Date was awarded the President's Gallantry Medal for his bravery during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where he confronted two of the ten terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). At that time, he was serving as the Additional Police Commissioner of the Central Region. Date and a small team from the Mumbai Police managed to rescue a lift operator taken hostage by the terrorists, Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail, at Kamat and Albless hospitals in South Mumbai.

Confrontation with Terrorists

Following their violent actions at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Kasab and Ismail entered a children's hospital, where Date and his team surrounded them. Despite the terrorists firing shots and throwing grenades, Date and his team successfully rescued the lift operator, Chandrakant Tikke, who was being used as a human shield by Kasab. During the grenade attack, Date lost consciousness, allowing Kasab and Ismail to escape. He sustained injuries to his eyes, throat, chest, right knee, and deep wounds on his left ankle. Tragically, two of his team members were killed in the gunfire before the terrorists fled.