News Desk 7

ECI appoints Sandeep Rai Rathore as new Tamil Nadu DGP and HoPF ahead of April 23 Assembly election, several senior IPS officers get key postings in major police reshuffle.

Election Commission of India (PTI File)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday appointed senior IPS officer Sandeep Rai Rathore as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Tamil Nadu, marking a key change in the state’s police leadership ahead of the April 23 Assembly election.

As per a report by ANI, EC has directed the Tamil Nadu government to implement the order with immediate effect, and a compliance report in respect of the joining of the officer is to be submitted by 11 am on April 3.

Rathore, a 1992-batch IPS officer, will also serve as the Head of Police Force (HoPF), replacing G Venkataraman, who had been holding charge as in‑charge DGP and HoPF since September 2025 following the superannuation of former DGP Shankar Jiwal. Prior to his new role, Rathore was serving as DGP, Training, in Chennai.

The reshuffle comes as the state prepares for the upcoming Assembly polls, with the ECI moving to ensure a full-time police chief is in place during the crucial election period.

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In addition to the appointment of the new DGP, several senior officers have been transferred to key positions. Sanjay Kumar, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Coastal Security Group, has been posted as Commissioner of Tambaram. Abhishek Dixit, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Traffic and Road Safety, Chennai, has been appointed Commissioner of Madurai. R V Ramya Bharati, previously IGP, Crime, Chennai, has been posted as IGP, West Zone, Coimbatore, an official release said.

G Jawahar (IPS, 2016 batch), has been appointed as the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Kancheepuram, while K Prabakar (IPS, batch yet to be allotted) will take charge as SP of Perambalur. E Sundaravathanam (IPS, 2016 batch) has been posted as SP of Thanjavur, and GSA Myilvaganan (IPS, 2016 batch) will serve as SP in Tenkasi.

Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The current tenure of the 234-member state assembly ends on May 10.

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