Who Will Succeed Shankar Jiwal as DGP of Tamil Nadu?

Chennai, July 22 (NationPress) With the term of the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (Law and Order) Shankar Jiwal set to conclude in August, the state administration has initiated the search for his replacement by submitting a shortlist of senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Sources from the Home Department have revealed that a compilation of nine senior officers holding the DGP rank has been drafted and sent to the UPSC for review. The candidates include Seema Agarwal, Rajeev Kumar, Sandeep Rai Rathod, Abhay Kumar Singh, Vanniyaperumal, Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, Venkataraman, Vinith Wankhade, and Sanjay Mathur.

A high-level panel from the UPSC is anticipated to convene in New Delhi shortly to assess the qualifications and service records of these officers.

In accordance with Supreme Court directives and UPSC guidelines, the chosen officer should have at least two years of remaining service at the time of their appointment to ensure effective leadership and administrative continuity.

Following their assessment, the UPSC will recommend a list of three officers, from which the state government will select the next DGP (Law and Order).

Officials have mentioned that the final appointment is expected to be announced prior to August 31 to facilitate a seamless transition.

Shankar Jiwal, an IPS officer from the 1990 batch, took office as DGP in 2023. Renowned for his calm and systematic approach to policing, Jiwal has been instrumental in managing law and order during various critical situations and prominent events in the state. Nevertheless, his tenure has not been without significant controversies.

Since the DMK-led government assumed power in 2021, Tamil Nadu has reported 25 custodial deaths, sparking grave concerns over alleged police brutality.

One notable incident—the purported custodial torture and death of a security guard at a temple in Sivaganga—has faced stern criticism from the Madras High Court. This case has been transferred to the CBI, which is expected to provide its report by August 20.

The appointment of the next DGP comes at a pivotal moment, with the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections looming less than a year away. The new police chief will encounter the dual challenges of regaining public trust in law enforcement and ensuring a peaceful and impartial electoral process.

In addition to election readiness, the incoming DGP will also be tasked with enhancing cybercrime surveillance, fostering better coordination among police units, and maintaining communal harmony throughout the state.