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Let Me Say it Now
‘Son, I think you have made a mistake. You have written IPS five times.’
‘No, sir, it’s not a mistake,’ I said. ‘It is deliberate. Sir, give me IPS or nothing.’
Rakesh Maria’s entry into the elite Indian Police Service and rise to the coveted post of Mumbai’s Police Commissioner is a gripping and inspiring story.
One of India’s best-known police officers, Maria’s life is the stuff police legends are made of. Time and again his bosses and various political masters took him off his regular postings to detect serious crimes. But he successfully steered challenging and monumental investigations -- the 1993 serial blasts and the audacious 26/11 terror attack being two such instances. His work confined him to the Urbs Prima in Indis for the better part of his career. It constantly kept him under the spotlight, attracting the ire of many and resulting in some deeply distressing moments. But Maria persisted and led from the front, wherever his duty took him.
Just when he was about to complete his tenure as Commissioner, the sensational Sheena Bora murder case came to light. As usual, Rakesh Maria ensured that no stone was left unturned to unravel the roles of the influential accused. Just then, he was abruptly transferred on promotion. The treatment meted out to one of Mumbai’s top cops created a huge controversy. Several explanations were offered; guesses hazarded. However, Maria held his silence, as always. He was not new to controversies. They dogged him as they do all public servants who choose to act rather than take the easy way out, seeking shelter under rules of hierarchy and office.
In Let Me Say It Now, Maria breaks his silence for the first time, letting the reader into his side of the stories built around him. It is the chronicle of a conscientious and steadfast cop who found himself in the midst of sensitive cases and created benchmarks in complicated investigations. The book is also an unusually frank and penetrating look into the criminal justice system and the socio-political set-up it operates in.
‘No, sir, it’s not a mistake,’ I said. ‘It is deliberate. Sir, give me IPS or nothing.’
Rakesh Maria’s entry into the elite Indian Police Service and rise to the coveted post of Mumbai’s Police Commissioner is a gripping and inspiring story.
One of India’s best-known police officers, Maria’s life is the stuff police legends are made of. Time and again his bosses and various political masters took him off his regular postings to detect serious crimes. But he successfully steered challenging and monumental investigations -- the 1993 serial blasts and the audacious 26/11 terror attack being two such instances. His work confined him to the Urbs Prima in Indis for the better part of his career. It constantly kept him under the spotlight, attracting the ire of many and resulting in some deeply distressing moments. But Maria persisted and led from the front, wherever his duty took him.
Just when he was about to complete his tenure as Commissioner, the sensational Sheena Bora murder case came to light. As usual, Rakesh Maria ensured that no stone was left unturned to unravel the roles of the influential accused. Just then, he was abruptly transferred on promotion. The treatment meted out to one of Mumbai’s top cops created a huge controversy. Several explanations were offered; guesses hazarded. However, Maria held his silence, as always. He was not new to controversies. They dogged him as they do all public servants who choose to act rather than take the easy way out, seeking shelter under rules of hierarchy and office.
In Let Me Say It Now, Maria breaks his silence for the first time, letting the reader into his side of the stories built around him. It is the chronicle of a conscientious and steadfast cop who found himself in the midst of sensitive cases and created benchmarks in complicated investigations. The book is also an unusually frank and penetrating look into the criminal justice system and the socio-political set-up it operates in.
623 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
January 19, 2024
What a life he had.
Why you should read this book.
1. To know how IPS real life are.
2. Great Bombay textile strike
3. Mumbai mafia
4. It talks about 1993 Bomb blast
5. Match fixing (1998-2000)
6. Islamic terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen module in 2008
7. 26/11 terror strikes
8. How Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) wanted to appeased minority and created a term called Hindu terror
9. Sheena Bora murder case
10. Mumbai police politics
At times this book get heavy to read, heavy as in lengthy but author tried his best to cover all major cases. Very well articulated book on the working of Mumbai police. Its a story of a great and exciting journey of the most celebrated cop. This book deserve a read.
Why you should read this book.
1. To know how IPS real life are.
2. Great Bombay textile strike
3. Mumbai mafia
4. It talks about 1993 Bomb blast
5. Match fixing (1998-2000)
6. Islamic terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen module in 2008
7. 26/11 terror strikes
8. How Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) wanted to appeased minority and created a term called Hindu terror
9. Sheena Bora murder case
10. Mumbai police politics
At times this book get heavy to read, heavy as in lengthy but author tried his best to cover all major cases. Very well articulated book on the working of Mumbai police. Its a story of a great and exciting journey of the most celebrated cop. This book deserve a read.
April 22, 2020
Let Me Say It Now is a brave account of Mumbai's most decorated officer. The book justifies its title. It's a tell-all affair where we get to how the high profile cases were investigated and also how the Mumbai Police actually works in a crisis. Overall the book is a must-read for not only those who love reading nonfiction but regular book reader too who are interested in the history of Mumbai of past 20-25 years.
March 10, 2020
Amazing insight to the working of Police Force. It makes us realise how we undermine the efforts made by the cops at all designations to protect us every day without fail. We question their sincerity after the smallest of mistakes or our assumptions. Many of the cops goes unrewarded despite the sacrifices they make during their entire tenure. How media can tarnish the image of a loyal police officer just for TRP is also disheartening. We can atleast give unquestioned respect to the lot who have proved their loyalty uncounted number of times and not question them without knowing the entire story. A salute to Mr. Rakesh Maria and his unconditional service to us.
April 11, 2020
Some write a book and make it big and some make it big and write a book on it.
An autobiography of a "super cop" is in reality a a crime thriller of true events. The brave work during '93 blasts and 26/11 attacks amongst others is exemplary and admirable. For someone who grew up regularly reading Maria's comments in Mumbai news papers, it was absolutely fascinating to read about these criminal cases from his lenses. Although cynic may coin this as Maria's attempt to exonerate him from the allegations raised over the years but I believe the complications that he faced are easy to be criticised in hindsight. I am sure while facing these issues, a cleaver and agile person such as him was able to make decisions and execute actions which were best suited for the time and place. This book and his narrative assured a citizen like me that there are still several such able officers at work who help us sleep peacefully at night.
The writing in the book is crisp and descriptive keeping you engaged throughout the book. Best part of the book is the way 26/11 events are described and coverd. Several times I felt like I was in that control room amidst the buzzing telephone lines and energetic group of officers talking in the background or with Kasab in that interrogation room while he sat grim with no remorse while responding to the questions raised by Police. As many people have mentioned it in their reviews, and I agree, you can't keep this book down once you start reading it.
An autobiography of a "super cop" is in reality a a crime thriller of true events. The brave work during '93 blasts and 26/11 attacks amongst others is exemplary and admirable. For someone who grew up regularly reading Maria's comments in Mumbai news papers, it was absolutely fascinating to read about these criminal cases from his lenses. Although cynic may coin this as Maria's attempt to exonerate him from the allegations raised over the years but I believe the complications that he faced are easy to be criticised in hindsight. I am sure while facing these issues, a cleaver and agile person such as him was able to make decisions and execute actions which were best suited for the time and place. This book and his narrative assured a citizen like me that there are still several such able officers at work who help us sleep peacefully at night.
The writing in the book is crisp and descriptive keeping you engaged throughout the book. Best part of the book is the way 26/11 events are described and coverd. Several times I felt like I was in that control room amidst the buzzing telephone lines and energetic group of officers talking in the background or with Kasab in that interrogation room while he sat grim with no remorse while responding to the questions raised by Police. As many people have mentioned it in their reviews, and I agree, you can't keep this book down once you start reading it.
March 2, 2020
'The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night'
In his long career spread over 3 decades, Rakesh Maria was a guy who kept working on almost all major criminal cases that haunted City of dreams. This book gives behind the scene report of all major incidents in mumbai from 1991 till recent date. Rakesh Maria comes out as true leader when he gives due credit to his team right from constable to higher officers in rank as he remembers name of each and every person associated with case. His network of informers and passion to investigate crime possiblely the reason he made it so big!
In his long career spread over 3 decades, Rakesh Maria was a guy who kept working on almost all major criminal cases that haunted City of dreams. This book gives behind the scene report of all major incidents in mumbai from 1991 till recent date. Rakesh Maria comes out as true leader when he gives due credit to his team right from constable to higher officers in rank as he remembers name of each and every person associated with case. His network of informers and passion to investigate crime possiblely the reason he made it so big!
February 29, 2020
Woww... What a Career !!! Hats Off Sir...
April 21, 2020
Let me say it now – Rakesh Maria
Over the last couple of decades, Mumbai has had its fair share of organised crime and terror attacks. Chain snatchings, extortions, gang-rapes, communal violence, terrorist bombings and then of course the mother of all attacks on 26/11 which lasted for over 48 hours and brought out some of the best and worst of Mumbai on display.
After each incident, the common refrain has been to lay the blame at the doorstep of the Mumbai Police department for their lack of intelligence and capability for dealing with the problems of the maximum city.
Rakesh Maria, having served in the Crime Branch, ATS and then as Commissioner of Police – Mumbai, has not just had a ring-side view to these events, but has played a key role in investigating many of these crimes and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
His autobiography, ‘Let Me Say It Now’ comes at a time when the public memory is fresh enough for the back-story behind each of these incidents. Hence, as Mr Maria takes us back to the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts or the acts of terror perpetrated by the Indian Mujahideen, he evokes the reader’s personal interest in the events. The back-story on how various police operations are planned to nab some of the wanted criminals or terror suspects are quite fascinating and seem straight out of the show CID (or maybe CID was borne out of some of this!! One gets confused 😊)
At the same time, Mr Maria provides a very detailed insight into the hard life of a Mumbai policeman. Never-ending duty hours, constant media and political attention, poor working conditions and an unsupportive system. Yet, the honourable do not give up. Unfortunately, as Mr Maria highlights, the reward for such commitment and integrity is often a transfer.
A career as high-profile as Mr Maria’s has been, is never without controversy. One which stood out was the accusation by ACP Ashok Kamte’s widow that Mr Maria, as the man-in-charge of the Control Room during the 26/11 terror attacks, caused her husband’s death by not sending adequate reinforcements. Mr Maria uses this book to tell his side of the story and present his defence. And he does so in great detail, giving the reader a real insight into the frentic state of affairs as the Pak-sponsored terrorists struck at multiple places in Mumbai within a short period of time. For the Mumbaikar, it is a hair-raising read as many of us did follow the attacks live on television at places that many of us have been to, often.
The description of the subsequent interrogation and charge-sheeting of Ajmal Kasab again brings to fore the challenges faced by the police force while dealing with this imported menace and its fanaticism. But coming back to the accusation, one does get away with the feeling that it was probably more driven by the personal loss of Mrs Kamte than any specific acts or omissions by Mr Maria.
Mr Maria’s reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed Commissioner of Police, Mumbai in early 2014, a worthy reward for a worth officer. Having survived a high-risk profession for nearly 36 years, he finally succumbed to the controversy surrounding the Sheena Bora murder, and was shunted out of his post a few days before his term was to expire. Mr Maria again uses the book to present his version of events (something he couldn’t have done as a serving officer) in a credible attempt to clear his reputation.
A key low point, not of the book but the events narrated, is the hanging of Yakub Memon, the brother of Tiger Memon and a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai Serial Blasts. The crowds thronging Mahim, Charni Road and the cremation grounds, as Yakub Memon’s body is brought back to Mumbai, are beyond my understanding. Here was the man who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Mumbaikars, and yet here were thousands on the streets to witness this martyr’s last journey.
In terms of the writing style, Mr Maria comes across as rather honest and open as he narrates the story of Mumbai crime and terror, from his vantage point. As an author, where he probably trips, is the over-zealousness with which he tries to defend his role in the Sheena Bora investigations. The bitterness comes through. Further, in his attempt to ensure credit is duly given to the officers who worked with him on various cases, he ends up bringing in too many names. Names that hang loosely and kind of confuse the reader.
Despite these amateur mistakes, Mr Maria’s story is one worth reading.
Thank you Sir for saying it out loud.
Over the last couple of decades, Mumbai has had its fair share of organised crime and terror attacks. Chain snatchings, extortions, gang-rapes, communal violence, terrorist bombings and then of course the mother of all attacks on 26/11 which lasted for over 48 hours and brought out some of the best and worst of Mumbai on display.
After each incident, the common refrain has been to lay the blame at the doorstep of the Mumbai Police department for their lack of intelligence and capability for dealing with the problems of the maximum city.
Rakesh Maria, having served in the Crime Branch, ATS and then as Commissioner of Police – Mumbai, has not just had a ring-side view to these events, but has played a key role in investigating many of these crimes and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
His autobiography, ‘Let Me Say It Now’ comes at a time when the public memory is fresh enough for the back-story behind each of these incidents. Hence, as Mr Maria takes us back to the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts or the acts of terror perpetrated by the Indian Mujahideen, he evokes the reader’s personal interest in the events. The back-story on how various police operations are planned to nab some of the wanted criminals or terror suspects are quite fascinating and seem straight out of the show CID (or maybe CID was borne out of some of this!! One gets confused 😊)
At the same time, Mr Maria provides a very detailed insight into the hard life of a Mumbai policeman. Never-ending duty hours, constant media and political attention, poor working conditions and an unsupportive system. Yet, the honourable do not give up. Unfortunately, as Mr Maria highlights, the reward for such commitment and integrity is often a transfer.
A career as high-profile as Mr Maria’s has been, is never without controversy. One which stood out was the accusation by ACP Ashok Kamte’s widow that Mr Maria, as the man-in-charge of the Control Room during the 26/11 terror attacks, caused her husband’s death by not sending adequate reinforcements. Mr Maria uses this book to tell his side of the story and present his defence. And he does so in great detail, giving the reader a real insight into the frentic state of affairs as the Pak-sponsored terrorists struck at multiple places in Mumbai within a short period of time. For the Mumbaikar, it is a hair-raising read as many of us did follow the attacks live on television at places that many of us have been to, often.
The description of the subsequent interrogation and charge-sheeting of Ajmal Kasab again brings to fore the challenges faced by the police force while dealing with this imported menace and its fanaticism. But coming back to the accusation, one does get away with the feeling that it was probably more driven by the personal loss of Mrs Kamte than any specific acts or omissions by Mr Maria.
Mr Maria’s reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed Commissioner of Police, Mumbai in early 2014, a worthy reward for a worth officer. Having survived a high-risk profession for nearly 36 years, he finally succumbed to the controversy surrounding the Sheena Bora murder, and was shunted out of his post a few days before his term was to expire. Mr Maria again uses the book to present his version of events (something he couldn’t have done as a serving officer) in a credible attempt to clear his reputation.
A key low point, not of the book but the events narrated, is the hanging of Yakub Memon, the brother of Tiger Memon and a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai Serial Blasts. The crowds thronging Mahim, Charni Road and the cremation grounds, as Yakub Memon’s body is brought back to Mumbai, are beyond my understanding. Here was the man who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Mumbaikars, and yet here were thousands on the streets to witness this martyr’s last journey.
In terms of the writing style, Mr Maria comes across as rather honest and open as he narrates the story of Mumbai crime and terror, from his vantage point. As an author, where he probably trips, is the over-zealousness with which he tries to defend his role in the Sheena Bora investigations. The bitterness comes through. Further, in his attempt to ensure credit is duly given to the officers who worked with him on various cases, he ends up bringing in too many names. Names that hang loosely and kind of confuse the reader.
Despite these amateur mistakes, Mr Maria’s story is one worth reading.
Thank you Sir for saying it out loud.
September 23, 2020
The police department in Mumbai city is traditionally acclaimed as the best police force east of Suez. They better be, as the city is the financial hub of the country and is a melting pot of numerous societies hailing from every nook and cranny of India. It can safely be designated as the nation in microcosm. The syncretic Mumbai society lives peacefully in the city, protected in the bosom of Marathi culture. The city’s importance to the nation prompts enemy powers to target it and inflict wounds on it so as to bleed India through a thousand cuts. Mumbai Police is at the centre of the intricate network of law-abiding citizens, criminals, thieves, terrorists and bureaucrats and contributes a great deal to the way the city moves. Rakesh Harikrishan Maria was an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who retired as the Director General (Home Guards) of Maharashtra Police who had also worked as the commissioner of police of Mumbai city. He took part in major investigations such as the 1993 serial blasts and 26/11 attacks. This book is his memoirs spanning 36 years of meritorious work in the IPS, the majority of which was spent in Mumbai.
Maria’s elevation to the top echelons of law enforcement in Maharashtra encourages numerous middle class boys and girls who have no political connections or financial clout to aspire for the glories of Indian civil service. The author is the son of a Punjabi musician and a Pahadi housewife who had no links to power-wielders or elite of the city, which is a triumph of Indian democracy and the inclusive and cosmopolitan spirit of Mumbai. Even while in service, he was sensitive and always receptive to the issues concerning the common man. Maria is usually enraged at the gravity of a crime he investigates just like a layman does. He never puts up airs at being a top police officer and the book is structured in such a way that the readers can empathise with him with minimum effort.
This book is the autobiography of Rakesh Maria, but knowingly or otherwise, the city of Mumbai is also a prominent character in the narrative. Many incidents described in the text would not happen anywhere else. The author is also starry-eyed about his native city in a quite justifiable way. He glorifies the city with the most gratifying epithets such as urbs prima (prime city of the country), the city of dreams and also the city of illusions (maya nagari). The city is the microcosm of India, the symbol of India’s resistance and good cheer that defies all its shortcomings. It is truly cosmopolitan, arduously challenging yet generous. It has created its own language dialects such as Bambaiya Marathi, which is said to be incomprehensible in the state’s countryside.
Quite contrary to the left-liberal portrayal of the early 1990s as a period of great oppression of the minorities in India, we see them quite powerful in this book and capable of forceful retaliations against violence inflicted by organisations representing the majority. Even before the destruction of the disputed structure at Ayodhya in 1992, major cities in India had been rocked by a series of bomb blasts designed to create panic among general public and to undermine the morale of the police and law enforcement agencies. The author notes with concern that the social fabric of Mumbai was so fragile in the 1990s that even a tiny spark was enough to ignite a communal conflagration. Criminal gangs were polarized on communal lines with Dawood Ibrahim leading a group of mainly Muslim thugs and Chhota Rajan leading mostly Hindu thugs. Police diary notes of the 1993 communal riots and the events which led to it clearly indicate that it was not one-sided at all as is often described. The serial blasts of 1993 shocked the nation and the Chhota Rajan gang embarked on killing all those in the serial bomb blasts case.
Maria personally supervised the interrogation of Ajmal Amir Kasab of Faridkot, Pakistan who was the sole terrorist captured alive in the 26/11 attacks and later hanged after a fair judicial trial. He narrates the subtle shades of subterfuge employed by his handlers in Pakistan who nearly succeeded in passing the men off as Hindu terrorists. All of them sported a red string tied around their wrists like a Hindu and carried identity cards with fictitious Hindu names. Kasab was named as ‘Samir Dinesh Chaudhari’ of Hyderabad (p.436). The inordinate delay in hanging Afzal Guru, a convicted terrorist in the deadly 2001 parliament attack case emboldened Kasab that the Indian state was soft and his own execution would also be postponed indefinitely. This book contains the verbatim transcript of the conversations of the attackers with their handlers in Pakistan. The author tried his best to dispel the indoctrination of Kasab that the bodies of the martyred terrorists would glow in the dark and would emanate a sweet scent. He was surreptitiously taken to the hospital morgue where the partially decomposed bodies of the other attackers were kept to have a look at reality. On the way back, he was made to kiss the ground at a safe location and made to utter the patriotic cry Bharat Mata ki Jai twice, which he obeyed meekly.
Even though the author diligently managed the control room activities where he was assigned by his boss during the 26/11 attacks, he was accused by the wife of Ashok Kamte, a senior police officer killed in the attacks. She alleged that Maria sent him to a dangerous location and did not provide timely help. The author does a detailed job to refute this claim but the effort was mentally so taxing that he wishes that he had died that night instead of the other. He then wryly remarks that Ajmal Kasab too wanted to die because he wanted paradise while Maria was getting hell here. This book explains the sad plight of the overburdened police force with long duty hours and poor living conditions far from the required level of fitness. No wonder they sink into apathy and lethargy that comes with repetitive monotonous work. Even then, there are many resourceful officers in the force as evidenced in the clandestine transfer of a criminal from Nepal to India. The Mumbai police team even bribed the Nepali border guards by giving away their gold rings and chains!
The author believes in team spirit at the workplace and studiously lists out names of his subordinate officers – even down to the constables – who had taken part in investigations rather than appropriating sole credit. Some prominent and sensational cases are also discussed to attract readers. Maria is so confident of his ability and investigative prowess that he doesn’t hesitate to admit his goof ups. In the Sherlock Holmes series too, we come across stories such as the ‘Five Orange Pips’ and ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’ in which the famous detective failed to provide a breakthrough! A blow by blow account of the 26/11 incidents are given which is very detailed and full of police jargon as to repel many a reader. Conversations in Hindi and Marathi with low-ranking officials, criminals and politicians are reproduced as such along with its English translation. This is very cumbersome at times. We can see such a practice in Sanskrit plays of the classical era. Unrefined characters and women use Prakrit or the local dialect while the major personalities use nothing but Sanskrit on stage. The author was transferred out of the post of commissioner due to a mix up in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case and when the government thought he was taking an undue interest in the case. Though he argued with senior officials and even the chief minister over the issue, the mind of the government was set against him and he could not approach the media with his own version of the story. The title of this book, ‘let me say it now’ in fact means his justification for what he has done in the Bora case.
The book is highly recommended.
Maria’s elevation to the top echelons of law enforcement in Maharashtra encourages numerous middle class boys and girls who have no political connections or financial clout to aspire for the glories of Indian civil service. The author is the son of a Punjabi musician and a Pahadi housewife who had no links to power-wielders or elite of the city, which is a triumph of Indian democracy and the inclusive and cosmopolitan spirit of Mumbai. Even while in service, he was sensitive and always receptive to the issues concerning the common man. Maria is usually enraged at the gravity of a crime he investigates just like a layman does. He never puts up airs at being a top police officer and the book is structured in such a way that the readers can empathise with him with minimum effort.
This book is the autobiography of Rakesh Maria, but knowingly or otherwise, the city of Mumbai is also a prominent character in the narrative. Many incidents described in the text would not happen anywhere else. The author is also starry-eyed about his native city in a quite justifiable way. He glorifies the city with the most gratifying epithets such as urbs prima (prime city of the country), the city of dreams and also the city of illusions (maya nagari). The city is the microcosm of India, the symbol of India’s resistance and good cheer that defies all its shortcomings. It is truly cosmopolitan, arduously challenging yet generous. It has created its own language dialects such as Bambaiya Marathi, which is said to be incomprehensible in the state’s countryside.
Quite contrary to the left-liberal portrayal of the early 1990s as a period of great oppression of the minorities in India, we see them quite powerful in this book and capable of forceful retaliations against violence inflicted by organisations representing the majority. Even before the destruction of the disputed structure at Ayodhya in 1992, major cities in India had been rocked by a series of bomb blasts designed to create panic among general public and to undermine the morale of the police and law enforcement agencies. The author notes with concern that the social fabric of Mumbai was so fragile in the 1990s that even a tiny spark was enough to ignite a communal conflagration. Criminal gangs were polarized on communal lines with Dawood Ibrahim leading a group of mainly Muslim thugs and Chhota Rajan leading mostly Hindu thugs. Police diary notes of the 1993 communal riots and the events which led to it clearly indicate that it was not one-sided at all as is often described. The serial blasts of 1993 shocked the nation and the Chhota Rajan gang embarked on killing all those in the serial bomb blasts case.
Maria personally supervised the interrogation of Ajmal Amir Kasab of Faridkot, Pakistan who was the sole terrorist captured alive in the 26/11 attacks and later hanged after a fair judicial trial. He narrates the subtle shades of subterfuge employed by his handlers in Pakistan who nearly succeeded in passing the men off as Hindu terrorists. All of them sported a red string tied around their wrists like a Hindu and carried identity cards with fictitious Hindu names. Kasab was named as ‘Samir Dinesh Chaudhari’ of Hyderabad (p.436). The inordinate delay in hanging Afzal Guru, a convicted terrorist in the deadly 2001 parliament attack case emboldened Kasab that the Indian state was soft and his own execution would also be postponed indefinitely. This book contains the verbatim transcript of the conversations of the attackers with their handlers in Pakistan. The author tried his best to dispel the indoctrination of Kasab that the bodies of the martyred terrorists would glow in the dark and would emanate a sweet scent. He was surreptitiously taken to the hospital morgue where the partially decomposed bodies of the other attackers were kept to have a look at reality. On the way back, he was made to kiss the ground at a safe location and made to utter the patriotic cry Bharat Mata ki Jai twice, which he obeyed meekly.
Even though the author diligently managed the control room activities where he was assigned by his boss during the 26/11 attacks, he was accused by the wife of Ashok Kamte, a senior police officer killed in the attacks. She alleged that Maria sent him to a dangerous location and did not provide timely help. The author does a detailed job to refute this claim but the effort was mentally so taxing that he wishes that he had died that night instead of the other. He then wryly remarks that Ajmal Kasab too wanted to die because he wanted paradise while Maria was getting hell here. This book explains the sad plight of the overburdened police force with long duty hours and poor living conditions far from the required level of fitness. No wonder they sink into apathy and lethargy that comes with repetitive monotonous work. Even then, there are many resourceful officers in the force as evidenced in the clandestine transfer of a criminal from Nepal to India. The Mumbai police team even bribed the Nepali border guards by giving away their gold rings and chains!
The author believes in team spirit at the workplace and studiously lists out names of his subordinate officers – even down to the constables – who had taken part in investigations rather than appropriating sole credit. Some prominent and sensational cases are also discussed to attract readers. Maria is so confident of his ability and investigative prowess that he doesn’t hesitate to admit his goof ups. In the Sherlock Holmes series too, we come across stories such as the ‘Five Orange Pips’ and ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’ in which the famous detective failed to provide a breakthrough! A blow by blow account of the 26/11 incidents are given which is very detailed and full of police jargon as to repel many a reader. Conversations in Hindi and Marathi with low-ranking officials, criminals and politicians are reproduced as such along with its English translation. This is very cumbersome at times. We can see such a practice in Sanskrit plays of the classical era. Unrefined characters and women use Prakrit or the local dialect while the major personalities use nothing but Sanskrit on stage. The author was transferred out of the post of commissioner due to a mix up in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case and when the government thought he was taking an undue interest in the case. Though he argued with senior officials and even the chief minister over the issue, the mind of the government was set against him and he could not approach the media with his own version of the story. The title of this book, ‘let me say it now’ in fact means his justification for what he has done in the Bora case.
The book is highly recommended.
April 12, 2020
A brilliant book by the the super cop Rakesh Maria. It's absolutely rivetting as he takes the reader through his years serving Maharashtra in various capacities. His fearless nature and attention to detail was awe-inspiring. Mr Maria has handled a lot of high-profile cases like going after the underworld who threatened Mumbai in the 90's to the 26/11 terror attacks. His in-depth account is very informative. I really appreciate the fact that in every case he talks about, he has given credit to all his team members. He has also talked about the various controversies that made news during his tenure, the last being his involvement in the Sheela Bora murder case. Absolutely unputdownable!!
April 12, 2020
Brilliant memoir of a man in the khakhi uniform. Maria has handled an amazing variety of cases. Traces his journey from childhood to retirement.. Gripping first person accounts of the Mumbai 93 blasts, 2008 Mumbai attacks and various other cases in between. Gives a detailed look a police organization, responses and SOPs. Never knew cops had to worked so hard :). Last few chapters dedicated to his controversial Sheena Bora case and 'promotion'.
April 21, 2020
A must read book of an amazing career of a police officer who saw Mumbai through all the crisis from 93' blasts to 26/11 terror attacks. The description of high tensed situations runs just like a movie with every minute detail of the attack and subsequent detection work beautifully explained. The book also describes his highs and lows on the professional front, his challenges as a leader and has great takeaways in those aspects too.
March 4, 2020
Simple, candid and revealing
This is as much the story of a top cop as a Bandra boy. The style is subtle, charming and disarming with its astute simplicity. A must read for anyone who's lived through the decades of his service as a simple Mumbaikar ; a simple Indian.
This is as much the story of a top cop as a Bandra boy. The style is subtle, charming and disarming with its astute simplicity. A must read for anyone who's lived through the decades of his service as a simple Mumbaikar ; a simple Indian.
March 10, 2020
Gripping...
Never finished a book so fast..
Amazing to read a cops journey of 36 years .
Satisfying as he says about his career. The book looks inside a cops mind and what happens behind the scenes.
Never finished a book so fast..
Amazing to read a cops journey of 36 years .
Satisfying as he says about his career. The book looks inside a cops mind and what happens behind the scenes.
March 13, 2020
What a man ! What a life !
Hats off to you Mr Rakesh Maria. It was lovely to read your journey.
It’s good you came out with your memoir. civilians need to know what a Police officer’s life is.
Loved every minute , every page.
Hats off to you Mr Rakesh Maria. It was lovely to read your journey.
It’s good you came out with your memoir. civilians need to know what a Police officer’s life is.
Loved every minute , every page.
February 25, 2020
A very interesting read
A definite page turner. Gives a lot of insight into the working of a police brain. This book brings a new found respect for the police.
A definite page turner. Gives a lot of insight into the working of a police brain. This book brings a new found respect for the police.
April 21, 2020
For someone like me- Born and brought up in Mumbai- Rakesh Maria was a familiar name from the 90's. Two things were known about the man- His passion towards his work and His love for the film fraternity.
"Let me Say it now" is a fine read. Every chapter is a case file that gives you a first hand account of how it must have happened as per Mr. Maria. There is everything here from a robbery to murder to the Mumbai Bomb blasts to the 26/11 attack on Mumbai.
Certain cases like the one about the Matka King and the Arun Gawli fortress are supremely thrilling as they reveal the intricacies of criminal minds and their operations.
The book, time and again highlights and emphasizes the hardships faced by cops and the constant pressure they are under from all sides.
Mr. Maria is careful not to point fingers at anyone or anybody in the book. He very tactfully tip toes around mentioning any specifics of "corruption" and "politics" that thrive in the Police Force. Everyone in the Police Force is hard working and decent except sometimes silly but thats about it.
The intention of the book is primarily to clarify Mr. Maria's innocence in the Sheena Bora murder case (which is the last chapter) from which he was unceremoniously taken off & to lament abundant praise on his own collegues for various operations conducted over the 36 years of Maria's exceptional service. The book manages to achieve both objectives.
"Let me Say it now" is a fine read. Every chapter is a case file that gives you a first hand account of how it must have happened as per Mr. Maria. There is everything here from a robbery to murder to the Mumbai Bomb blasts to the 26/11 attack on Mumbai.
Certain cases like the one about the Matka King and the Arun Gawli fortress are supremely thrilling as they reveal the intricacies of criminal minds and their operations.
The book, time and again highlights and emphasizes the hardships faced by cops and the constant pressure they are under from all sides.
Mr. Maria is careful not to point fingers at anyone or anybody in the book. He very tactfully tip toes around mentioning any specifics of "corruption" and "politics" that thrive in the Police Force. Everyone in the Police Force is hard working and decent except sometimes silly but thats about it.
The intention of the book is primarily to clarify Mr. Maria's innocence in the Sheena Bora murder case (which is the last chapter) from which he was unceremoniously taken off & to lament abundant praise on his own collegues for various operations conducted over the 36 years of Maria's exceptional service. The book manages to achieve both objectives.
March 23, 2020
I must admit, I had felt let down in 2015, when allegations surfaced in the media that Rakesh Maria had been shunted out of the post of CP Mumbai because of his links with Peter Mukherjea. Having met him a couple of times in 2012, I sensed him to be of the serious, devoted, no-nonsense type, who had meticulously maintained notes of important happenings of his illustrious career and not at all 'snobbish'. I am glad he came out with this excellent work, which surpassed my expectations of his role in the 1993 blast investigations, his role in the 2008 attacks (though I am sure he would have played a stellar role if he had been allowed to go to the Taj and not relegated to the Control Room) and his role in the Sheena Bora murder investigation. This book reads better than any crime detective story or any autobiography. A must read for all who value the tremendous sacrifices that our men in Khaki have put in to make Mumbai Police, in Rakesh Maria's own words, "The Best Police Force East of the Suez".
April 10, 2020
Very interesting to get to read the first hand workings of the officers in the police force .A career spanning over 35 years is absolutely commendable and congratulations for that Mr.Maria.We the public are always quick to criticise the unruly situations in the country but are not aware of the blood and sweat the officers put in night and day to keep us safe 🙏🏽There were many cases which were very interesting though disturbing to read but Glad that they were solved.Hopefully the Sheena Bora case that is mentioned in the book gets solved soon.I enjoyed reading the journey of Mr Rakesh Maria in the book Let me say it now and would like to wish him a peaceful well deserved retirement 🙏🏽
March 12, 2020
Great Book to be read by civilians , police personal, politicians, media and peoples from all walks of life
Book is gripping as you don't doubt truth mentioned in it's content. Author has guys not only to perform his cut but exposing facts fearlessly. Great officers like him contribute lot for peace and prosperity of nation. Nation needs great officers like Rajesh Maria. Hats off to you sir
Book is gripping as you don't doubt truth mentioned in it's content. Author has guys not only to perform his cut but exposing facts fearlessly. Great officers like him contribute lot for peace and prosperity of nation. Nation needs great officers like Rajesh Maria. Hats off to you sir
April 27, 2020
This book speaks volumes about the sacrifices that an IPS officer and his team have to go through to keep our country safe. Written in a format that all will understand and talks about the news that flows in the corridors of the government.
Riveting read ! Unputdownable ( if there is such a word)!
Riveting read ! Unputdownable ( if there is such a word)!
June 10, 2020
What a remarkable career he had.
April 5, 2020
Thanks Mr Maria, for the great service to the Nation
This is certainly not a memoir. This is detailed account of of how Police Force work under constraints. And how anti nationals drive agenda. Detailed account of 1993 Blasts , 2006-08 Blasts, 26/11, Right upto Sheena Bora murder case. Must read. And here is a salute to the Brave Son of India
This is certainly not a memoir. This is detailed account of of how Police Force work under constraints. And how anti nationals drive agenda. Detailed account of 1993 Blasts , 2006-08 Blasts, 26/11, Right upto Sheena Bora murder case. Must read. And here is a salute to the Brave Son of India
March 31, 2020
Truely Inspiring
Was really inspired reading this book .Wish I could have doned a uniform .Rakesh Maria sahab as Sahab will be the appropriate word He is true to his heart and and has written without any hesitation.Hats off
Was really inspired reading this book .Wish I could have doned a uniform .Rakesh Maria sahab as Sahab will be the appropriate word He is true to his heart and and has written without any hesitation.Hats off
March 30, 2020
Amazing journey of Mr. Maria
The book gives an insight on working of police machinery.
The book gives an insight on working of police machinery.
April 16, 2020
Wonderful read.
Story of an IPS officer also a thriller one
Story of an IPS officer also a thriller one
January 26, 2021
Before picking this book, I had read Dongri to Dubai by S. Hussain Zaidi. This book, as expected, gives the reader a view of not only the big, organized underworld crime scenario (as in Dongri to Dubai), but also the unorganised, high profile crimes as well. Rakesh Maria surely tries to build up what runs in a police officer's mind while working on a case, right from the inception to nabbing the perpetrators, through narrations of various cases throughout his career. Esther Anhuya case, Sheena Bora murder case, 26/11 attacks, 1993 bomb blasts being some of the cases which attracted huge public outrage and suspicion on the police, Rakesh Maria takes the reader to the scene of investigation and also discusses the places where the officers might have gone wrong or what could have been done differently. A must read if an individual wants to know the story of a crime from a police officer's perspective and the hardships faced by them.
July 28, 2020
Every Mumbaikar should read this book. This is an excellent crime repertoire more than an autobiography. You get a real insight into how our police force works. The amount of hard work and sacrifices by them and their families are immense and something which cannot be compensated no matter how much you try. The parts about infamous '93 blasts and riots are explained in such a detailed manner which are otherwise very difficult to assess for a commoner.
Having said that, no autobiography is completely truthful. As a famous maxim goes "Never let a truth ruin a good story". Hence my apprehensions.
Having said that, no autobiography is completely truthful. As a famous maxim goes "Never let a truth ruin a good story". Hence my apprehensions.
May 30, 2020
Absolutely brilliant!
One of the most engaging books that I have ever read. It kept me awake till 3 am every single night till I finally finished reading it.
It's one of those books that reveals so much and presents a completely different picture about the world that you thought you knew about. You will learn a lot and will have a new found appreciation for the brave-hearts who keep us and our families safe, compromising on their own private lives in doing so.
Trust me, once you read this book, your perspective about the world around you would never be the same again!
One of the most engaging books that I have ever read. It kept me awake till 3 am every single night till I finally finished reading it.
It's one of those books that reveals so much and presents a completely different picture about the world that you thought you knew about. You will learn a lot and will have a new found appreciation for the brave-hearts who keep us and our families safe, compromising on their own private lives in doing so.
Trust me, once you read this book, your perspective about the world around you would never be the same again!
August 28, 2020
It's an amazing insight into the career of a brave and respected police officer whose character has been the lead protagonist in a number of Bollywood movies. This astounding account of the bravery and sincerity of some police officers rarely gets the limelight it deserves in the mainstream media. Loved this one.
October 3, 2021
this book is the autobiography of the Mumbai CoP.
the book starts from his childhood days and goes on with his experience of 4 decades in the police till his retirement
we can know the inside information from police of the various crimes like the biggest crimes at the Taj, Mumbai or Dawood, cricket match fixing scandals, Varadarajan mudaliar of Daravi and so on.....
a police cop or an aspirant can/must read this book
in india where people sometimes may not have much confidence with the police, auto biography of Rakesh inspires us more close to the right ones.
the book starts from his childhood days and goes on with his experience of 4 decades in the police till his retirement
we can know the inside information from police of the various crimes like the biggest crimes at the Taj, Mumbai or Dawood, cricket match fixing scandals, Varadarajan mudaliar of Daravi and so on.....
a police cop or an aspirant can/must read this book
in india where people sometimes may not have much confidence with the police, auto biography of Rakesh inspires us more close to the right ones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews