Major police reshuffle in Tamil Nadu before elections; Sandeep Rai Rathore appointed DGP

CHENNAI: The Election Commission has replaced Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police (Law and Order), G. Venkittaramanan, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Sandeep Rai Rathore, a 1992-batch IPS officer, has been appointed as his replacement. He will be responsible for overseeing all police-related arrangements connected to the elections. The order was issued by Election Commission Secretary Latha Tripathi.

The Commission has also carried out a broader reshuffle in the state’s police leadership. Sanjay Kumar has been appointed as the Tambaram City Police Commissioner, replacing A. Amalraj. R. V. Ramya Bharathi has been named Inspector General of Police for the Coimbatore West Zone, while Abhishek Dixit will take charge as the Madurai City Police Commissioner.

According to the Election Commission, the newly appointed officers will remain in their positions for the duration of the Model Code of Conduct. They have been directed to assume charge by 11 a.m. on Friday.

The reshuffle comes amid criticism from BJP leaders, who had raised concerns over police officials appointed by the DMK government continuing in key positions during the election period.