MUMBAI — In a significant reshuffle within the Mumbai Police top brass, senior IPS officer Anil Kumbhare has officially taken charge as the new Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch). Kumbhare, a seasoned bureaucrat of the 2005 Maharashtra cadre batch, transitions into this high-profile role from his previous assignment as the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic).

File Picture IPS Anil Kumbhare.

He succeeds Lakhmi Gautam, who has been promoted to the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP) after a successful tenure leading the city’s premier investigation wing.

A Proven Track Record in Crime Fighting

Anil Kumbhare brings a wealth of field experience to the Crime Branch, having served in several critical positions across Mumbai’s distinct policing zones. His past assignments include pivotal tenures as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Zone 8 , Zone 1 and later as the Additional Commissioner of Police for the Central Region—an area known for its complex security dynamics and high-profile institutional presence.

During his time as Joint CP (Traffic), Kumbhare was credited with streamlining urban mobility initiatives and leveraging technology for better traffic enforcement across the metropolis.

The Underworld Nemesis: Low Profile, High Action

Within the police force and administrative circles, Kumbhare is widely recognized as a hardline officer against organized crime. He has earned a formidable reputation for his aggressive, zero-tolerance operations against the Mumbai underworld, dismantling syndicates and tracking down key operatives during crucial phases of his career.

Anil Kumbare officially hands over charge to IPS officer Satynarayan Chaudhary as Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Traffic Police

“He is inherently low-profile, naturally reserved, and deeply focused. He is a man of few words who firmly believes that an officer’s actions should do the talking,” said a senior official who has worked closely with him.

As he steps into the Commissionerate’s most demanding investigative seat, Kumbhare’s immediate challenges will include tackling evolving cyber-crime syndicates, tracking transnational drug cartels, and maintaining the city’s strict stance against organized extortion rings