 "Before joining the NIA, Date was serving as the chief of Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Maharashtra. Image Courtesy: @NIA_India/Twitter")
Senior IPS officer Sadanand Vasant Date, who played a pivotal role during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has taken over as Director-General of the National Investigating Agency (NIA), succeeding Dinkar Gupta, who retired on 31 March. His bravery and quick thinking during the infamous 26/11 attacks in Mumbai earned him widespread admiration.
Who is Sadanand Vasant Date?
Sadanand Vasant Date is a 1990-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Maharashtra cadre, who has held several high-ranking positions in Maharashtra’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Before joining the NIA, Date was serving as the chief of Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Maharashtra.
At the time, he tackled numerous high-profile cases, including the arrest of Pune’s DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar on espionage charges and the apprehension of several terrorists associated with the ISI.
He also played a key role in dismantling the Ravi Pujari gang while serving as head of the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Sadanand Vasant Date previously served as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Inspector General (Ops) in the Central Reserve Police Force. He has also served as Police Commissioner in Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar, both near Mumbai.
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More ShortsDate is known for his unassuming lifestyle and has always kept a low profile, preferring simplicity in his personal life.
What role he played in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks?
Date was awarded the President’s Police Medal for gallantry in 2008 for his role in combating the terrorists who had launched the dastardly attacks on Mumbai in November 2008.
As one of the first responders to the targeted locations on that fateful night, Date displayed exemplary courage and remained actively engaged in the response efforts until the situation was contained. His bravery facilitated the rescue of hostages held by terrorists, including the successful capture of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving perpetrator.
The NIA, which is functioning as the central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency of the country, was formed in the aftermath of the 2008 terror attacks.
Date also received the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2007 and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014.
With inputs from PTI