The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) headquarters in Mumbai got its first bullet-proof vehicle, for the use of its chief Hemant Karkare, in October. Karkare checked it out once, but hardly used it again. On November 26, he and two other officers were shot dead in a regular police vehicle.

The ATS asked for bullet-proof vehicles earlier this year, and orders were placed for two vehicles, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Motor Transport), Prakash Achrekar. The Tata Safari was delivered a month before Karkare was killed, and a Mahindra Scorpio arrived last week, 10 days after the tragedy.

“There was no delay in handing over the vehicle to the ATS. As soon as it came to Mumbai, the paperwork was completed, and on December 6 it was given to the ATS,” Achrekar told The Indian Express. The Scorpio is fitted out with reinforced glass, additional steel plates and a special engine to take the additional load, and costs about Rs 65 lakh.

Karkare preferred his Tata Indigo or Chevrolet Tavera both within the city and on longer trips, said an officer. “Sir never used this (bullet-proof) vehicle, except once when it had just arrived. He just took one ride to see how it was. After that it was never used.”

Today, ATS officers say they are not sure if the bullet-proof Tata Safari would have saved their boss, and Addl Commissioner Ashok Kamte and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, from the AK-47 fire of the terrorists at Cama Hospital.

Or whether Karkare had even had the time or opportunity to ask for it that fateful night.

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