MUMBAI: The Maharashtra state government yesterday promoted Mumbai Police Commissioner Hassan Gafoor to the rank of director general of police (DGP) and transferred him to the post of DGP (Police Housing Corporation).
However, there was a feeling in state’s police circle that Gafoor became the latest official to be removed in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks. Even though Gafoor termed the move as a “promotion,” the opposition demanded the officer be charged with murder.
Gafoor will be replaced by D. Shivanandan, an officer known for breaking the underworld’s grip on the country’s commercial capital and who brings with him years of experience in cracking terror related incidents.
An IPS officer of the 1976 batch, Shivanandan, till now additional director general and commissioner of the State Intelligence Department (SID), has earlier served as joint police commissioner (Crime) and in other departments.
Shortly after the announcement, Gafoor told reporters that he was “happy with my promotion and transfer.” He said he was due for a promotion for some time.
When asked whether it was on account of reported strictures in the Pradhan Committee report, Gafoor said neither he nor anybody had seen its contents so he could not comment on it.
The Maharashtra government had appointed a committee headed by former Home Secretary Ram Pradhan and former deputy secretary, Cabinet secretariat, to inquire into the 26/11 terror attacks.
Gafoor was appointed Mumbai Police chief on March 1, 2008, and was in the post for nearly 16 months before his transfer.
