New Mumbai Police Commissioner appointed: Who is Dattatray Padsalgikar?

Senior IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar was appointed as the new Police Commissioner of Mumbai on Saturday. Padsalgikar will replace the incumbent Mumbai Police chief Ahmad Javed, who is set to become India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia after his retirement on Sunday. [caption id=“attachment_2605418” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Dattatray Padsalgikar. Image courtesy: @MUMBAIYUVA/Twitter[/caption] Born on 26 August, 1958 and an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1982 cadre, Padsalgikar was on deputation to the central government in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for the past few years, but was repatriated earlier this month in preparation for his new charge. Padsalgikar has vast experience in terror and counter-terror operations and had been playing a critical role in gathering evidence against the Pakistani non-state actors who directed the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008, according to IANS. He helped procure the telephonic intercepts from the USA between the terrorists and their handlers which effectively nailed them in the case, officials said. According to Indian Express, Padsalgikar will be the first Maharashtrian police chief of Mumbai in 8 years. Another report in Asian Age said that he has worked as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Nagpur and Karad (Satara). The report further said that in Mumbai, Padsalgikar has worked as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Detection in the crime branch, DCP in Economic Offences Wing, DCP in South Mumbai, DCP of the Bandra-Jogeshwari stretch and Superintendent of Police in Osmanabad and Satara. In the IB, he has worked in Nagaland, New Delhi and Washington (US). Padsalgikar’s appointment was welcomed by senior officers in Mumbai police, according to Mid-Day. He is not only one of the most senior-most officers in Maharashtra but he also has the image of an honest and non-controversial officer. With his appointment, the commissioner’s post was downgraded from the DGP rank. “Government is pleased to appoint DD Padsalgikar, IPS (1982) as the next Commissioner of Police, Mumbai with effect from January 31 on superannuation of Ahmad Javed, IPS (1980), the present Commissioner of Police, Mumbai. “The post of Commissioner of Police, Mumbai stands downgraded to the rank of Additional Director General of Police till further orders,” a senior official had said. Earlier in the day, Javed had got an official send off from his fellow police officers at Naigaon Police parade ground in Central Mumbai. During his short speech, Javed had thanked the state police force for supporting him and had congratulated the 13 President Medal’s recipients from Mumbai police. Javed had said he is proud to take over his next assignment. With agency inputs