Mumbai:
KP Raghuvanshi 's exit as the chief of Maharashtra's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) had been anticipated by many, including himself, say those close to him. He will be replaced by Rakesh Maria, the city's Joint Police Commissioner of Crime.
When his team arrested two young men earlier this month, Raghuvanshi had much to be proud of and relieved over. The men were in the midst of planning new terror strikes against Mumbai.
And then, many say, the Chief of Maharashtra's Anti-Terror Squad ruined it for himself. On March 14 at a press conference, Raghuvanshi said, "Some people in Pakistan were trying to unleash terror in Mumbai through Indian operatives"
Raghuvanshi went on to share details - like the fact that the two men were being guided on the phone by a Pakistani handler whose code name was "chacha" or "uncle."
Raghuvanshi, whose team was investigating the Pune blasts, had gone too far, believed the Home Ministry. After the public disclosure, the trail to Pakistan went cold.
Three days after Raghuvanshi's press conference, the state's Chief Minister Ashok Chavan admitted, "Yes the Centre is unhappy that the details of the investigation were revealed and it hurt the probe."
Now, the same government denies any link between Raghavan's gaffe and his exit from the Anti-Terror Squad. "It was a routine transfer. You people make issues out of everything," said Chandra Iyengar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Maharashtra Government.
This was Raghavan's second stint at the Anti Terror Squad. He led the team as it investigated the 7/11 blasts in Mumbai - in 2006, seven bombs exploded within minutes of each other on commuter trains in rush hour. 190 people died.
Raghavan returned as chief after Hemant Karkare was shot dead by terrorists during the Mumbai attacks of 26/11. Sources close to Raghuvanshi say he had not been keen on a second innings.
About his transfer from the ATS, Raghuvanshi told NDTV, "I have not been informed of it. I am happy with the transfer. I have been seeking a transfer for a few months now. I am happy the government has given me an opportunity to serve other departments."
The usually low-profile Raghuvanshi will make way for the high-profile Maria, who is credited with cracking major investigations including the Mumbai serial blasts in 1993, the Gateway and Zaveri Bazar blast cases, and most recently, exposing the role of the Indian Mujahideen in terror attacks like the one in Pune last month, where 17 people were killed in a blast at the German Bakery.