IPS Sadanand Date To Be Nemesis Of Tahawwur Rana

The crucial role played by the illustrious Maharashtra police officer Sadanand Date, who belongs to the 1990 IPS batch, has been recalled by his colleagues and admirers in bringing back Pakistan-born terrorist Tahawwur Rana. Presently the National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief, Date had arranged and implemented the hanging of Ajmal Kasab in Pune’s Yerawada jail. The execution of the entire plan was so secret that then Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde was perhaps the only person outside the team that took Kasab to Pune from Mumbai’s Arthur Road prison for the final moment. Date has been known as an upright officer, famous for his physical fitness and clean image. He is due for retirement on 31 December 2026. Before taking over as NIA chief, Date headed the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Maharashtra. Date was among those who were injured on the night of 26 November 2008 during the Pakistani terror attack on Mumbai. When Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail, two of the attackers, were showering bullets at south Mumbai’s Cama hospital, Date rushed to the spot with a small contingent. Although others were injured, Date alone fought with the terrorists for over 40 minutes. He was gravely injured after a grenade was thrown at him. Thanks to Date’s courage, several people could escape and save their lives. Date is now heading the NIA, which is masterminding the prosecution of Tahawwur Rana. It is believed that his meticulous building up of the case against the 26/11 plotter will pass the judicial scrutiny and Rana will be sent to the gallows soon.