Hum Saath Saath Hai

Police Commissioner D Sivanandhan and Joint Commissioner u00a0of Police Rakesh Maria clear the air about their alleged rift

It's bait that the city's top policemen refused to fall for. Rumour had it that when D Sivanandhan took over as the new police commissioner, Joint CP Rakesh Maria was 'coincidentally' on leave. It was insinuated that they did not get along.
u00a0
But both officers rubbished these rumours when MiD DAY asked them about the alleged rift yesterday.

"Those who want to drive a wedge between the two of us are playing mischief," said Sivanandhan, who affirmed his faith in Maria.
u00a0
"He (Maria) is very much a part of my core team. I have complete faith in him and I will love to work with him for any number of years," he added.
u00a0
'Why I wasn't there'

And Maria explained his absence when Sivanandhan took charge saying, "I got an opportunity to visit the anti-terrorism unit and police control room of the Scotland Yard, due to which I had to extend my leave.

I was supposed to come back from leave on June 15, but had to extend my stay in London by two days.
u00a0
Consequently, I resumed duty only on June 17, while the announcement of the new commissioner of police was made before that (June 15).

Like Sivanandhan, Maria too sees mischief-makers at play. "It is the figment of a mischievous mind. I have utmost regard and respect for D Sivanandhan".

Maria went on to recall the cases (see box) that were solved when Sivanandhan was the additional commissioner of police (crime) and Maria the deputy commissioner of police (detection) during the 1993 bomb blasts. Maria worked under the supervision of Sivanandhan and detected the case.

Working together
Murder of BJP leaders Prem Kumar Sharma and Ramdas Naik in 1992
1993 bomb blast case
Murder of MLA Ziauddin Bukhari at Dongri in 1993
Detection of Milind Vaidya (former mayor) shootout case in 1999
Murder of Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh More in 1986