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26/11 probe fallout: Top cop Gafoor transferred
The Maharashtra government on Saturday transferred Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor (58) three days before it tables the Pradhan Committee report on the 26/11 terror attacks in the Legislature. Sixteen more officers are expected to be transferred across the state in the next few days.
The Maharashtra government on Saturday transferred Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor (58) three days before it tables the Pradhan Committee report on the 26/11 terror attacks in the Legislature. Sixteen more officers are expected to be transferred across the state in the next few days.
According to government sources, the Pradhan Committee criticised Gafoor over his handling of the terror attacks that claimed 180 lives.
D Sivanandhan, a former head of the Crime Branch who now heads the state Intelligence Bureau, will be the new police commissioner.
Gafoor, who was commissioner for 15 months, was promoted to the rank of director-general (housing). He will also be managing director of the Maharashta Police Housing Corporation.
Sources said Home Minister Jayant Patil did not believe Gafoor mismanaged the response to 26/11.
“It was an unprecedented attack that nobody anticipated. Gafoor alone cannot be blamed. However, it was difficult to keep him on as the report does point fingers at him,” said sources. Promoting him was a decent way of shifting him out, they added.
Gafoor denied his transfer was fallout of the report. “[Police] posts have been upgraded and seniors promoted,” he said. “It has nothing to do with 26/11.”
