A tough cop who has led anti-terror operation

Rakesh Maria, 56, belongs to the 1981 batch of the Indian Police Service. His first posting was in Akola as assistant superintendent of police.

He was transferred to Buldhana and then posted in Mumbai in 1986. He was appointed first deputy commissioner of police (traffic) in 1993.

That was when the serial bombings happened in Mumbai and Maria played a key role in the investigations. Subsequently, he took charge as deputy commissioner of police (crime) and was later promoted as joint commissioner of police (crime).

Maria was responsible for cracking the 2003 twin blasts at the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar. Six persons were tracked down in the case.

Then again in 2008, after the 26/11 terror strike, he was given the responsibility of the investigations that led to the hanging of Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist who was captured alive.

Among the other high-profile cases that he was engaged with was the Neeraj Grover murder case. Before his appointment as Mumbai police commissioner, Maria was head of the state Anti-Terrorism Squad.

He was awarded the President's police medal for his distinguished work.