Seated in his impressive office, the Maharashtra Police Crest in spit-polished brass mounted on a cheery peachy-gold wall, which his wife suggested he have when he assumed office ("to add some warmth to a cold room"), Rakesh Maria is an unlikely foodie. Why? Because, with his harried life, he eats lunch at four in the afternoon ("Sometimes, if I'm busy, I may skip it"), and dinner's always after he gets home post-midnight!

Fortunately, Sundays are relaxed. "We have brunch with eggs, sausages, salami, ham… I'm completely carnivorous," he smiles. More recently ("I'm touching 50!") he has switched to one vegetarian meal (lunch) and one non-vegetarian one (dinner). Despite an incurable sweet tooth, he has given up desserts to maintain his weight!

A healthy start with fruit for breakfast, after a workout, sets him up for the day. His fitness drill is self-improvised, with yoga, crunches, and free-hand exercises done in the privacy of his home. "I used to go to a gym, but simply ended up listening to people and sorting out their grievances!" grimaces the top cop.

When asked to list his options (IAS/IFS/IPS etc.) in order of preference, he listed IPS five times! Clearing with flying colours. "I'm inspired by the discipline and dignity of the police service. The thrill of cracking a case, and ensuring justice to the aggrieved, cannot be matched," he stresses.

The thrill of his job, he avers, more than compensates. Born to a father who came to Bombay from Punjab, to join the movies in 1950, he grew up in Bandra.

After graduating from St. Xavier's, he applied for the common entrance test to the services. When asked to list his options (IAS/IFS/IPS etc.) in order of preference, he listed IPS five times! Clearing with flying colours, he began a glorious career that has taken him from early postings like A.S.P. Khamgao (rural Maharashtra) and Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone IV (Mumbai), to S.P. Raigad, D.C.P Traffic (Mumbai) and D.C.P. - Crime, Mumbai (he was the first D.C.P in the Crime Branch), to Commissioner of Police - Railways, D.C.P. Detection (he investigated the Mumbai Bomb Blasts), to A.I.G. Law and Order, I.G. Anti-Corruption, I.G. Training (he introduced the constabulatory to psychological profiling and life skills like swimming, driving, and speaking English), to his current plum assignment as Jt. Commissioner, Crime.

"I'm inspired by the discipline and dignity of the police service. The thrill of cracking a case, and ensuring justice to the aggrieved, cannot be matched," he stresses.

Through it all, especially the inevitable trials and tribulations, he has been lucky to have the support of his wife, Priti, who was studying in Hanover, Germany, when their marriage was arranged, and came down for their wedding, only to discover it had to be called off. Mr. Maria explains, "I took my wedding card to my senior, requesting leave. He said, did you ask me before fixing your marriage? There was major bandobast happening and I couldn't be spared. The cards had to be torn and the wedding postponed, until I could be spared for two days to go to Delhi and get married."

Since then, though, an annual family holiday has become a given. They were in London last year for a fortnight, and have visited Vietnam, Australia, Europe, Egypt, and the Far East, including Japan. This year, they're heading to Turkey and Greece. "We love going to new places. And I really enjoy spending uninterrupted time with the kids!"

He filters his Sundays to ensure as much. A sports buff (he has played football, hockey and cricket in school/college and represented Maharashtra in the 1979 National Games in karate), he joins both his boys in their games and matches. The family dinner is generally at a restaurant of choice: Thai Pavilion, India Jones, Ling's Pavilion, Kebabs & Kurries, Don Giovanni at Atria Mall. One thing he doesn't enjoy is Bombay's Page 3 circuit. "I'm petrified of parties," he confesses. "Crowds of 30-40 people frighten me. I think hosts should do full justice to their guest and call only as many people as they can personally attend to."