Meet Sadanand Date: The New NIA Chief And Hero Of 26/11 Attacks

A distinguished IPS officer

In a significant change in the India’s security apparatus, the Centre has announced the new Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Sadanand Date is a distinguished Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who will now serve the position.

Education

Date hails from Pune and holds a doctorate degree from Pune University. He is also a qualified cost and management accountant from Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).

Accolades

A 1990-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, Date is known for his bravery and leadership. He was awarded the Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry for his role in confronting terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Experience

Before heading the NIA, he served as the chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). His career spans various prestigious positions, including the first Commissioner of the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police Commissionerate and Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) in Mumbai.

Workaholic

Those who have worked with him remember Date as a meticulous and industrious police officer. As per sources, one of an officer who worked with him claimed that because there were a lot of case files in that department to read, Date would arrive at work an hour early at 8.30 am rather than 9.30 am so that he would not be preoccupied with reading the files and could instead meet people during the day.

Reputation

Described as a no-nonsense officer with a clean record, colleagues admire him for his dedication, meticulousness, and work ethic.