E-Paper
Even in face of criticism, he saw city through tough times
When the suave and soft-spoken Hasan Gafoor took over as Mumbai Commissioner of Police on March 1, 2008, he became the second Muslim to head the city’s force after Independence, reports Debasish Panigrahi.
When the suave and soft-spoken Hasan Gafoor took over as Mumbai Commissioner of Police on March 1, 2008, he became the second Muslim to head the city’s force after Independence.
Born to a family of bureaucrats, 58-year-old Gafoor is originally from Hyderabad but was raised in Bandra.
He acquired a degree in mechanical engineering from Veer Jijamata Technical Institute and also studied law.
A 1974 batch Indian Police Service officer from Maharashtra cadre, Gafoor was posted in Mumbai several times.
He served as additional commissioner of police (crime) in sensitive areas like Dongri, Pydhonie and Dadar in the aftermath of the 1992-1993 communal riots and the March 1993 serial blasts.
Gafoor took charge as additional director general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2007 where he continued until March 2008. He has also served in the city traffic police.
He took over as police commissioner during the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena attacks on North Indian migrants in the city.
The months after the 26/11 terror strike saw Gafoor fielding allegations of delayed response during the attacks.
He faced criticism from various quarters, including his own department as several subordinates sent feelers to the Home department about his knee-jerk reaction during the terror attack.
Gafoor has received several laurels in his three-decade long career including the medal for distinguished service given by the president and the Police Medal for meritorious service.
Gafoor has also undergone extensive training in some of the best international agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Smith & Wesson Academy, USA.
