India, Dec. 3 -- The Maharashtra government has urged the union government to relieve National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Sadanand Date from central deputation and send him back to the state. Sources in the state government say Date - who is venerated for taking on two of the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008 - is likely to be named Director General of Police (DGP) once Rashmi Shukla, the current state police chief, retires on December 31.

When asked about the possibility of Date being named as the next DGP, additional chief secretary (home) IS Chahal said, "No comments".

During his career spanning 35 years, Date, a Maharashtra cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has continuously worked on policing-rela...