Tamil Nadu Names G Venkataraman Acting DGP; BJP’s Annamalai Calls Move ‘Illegal and Damaging’

The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday appointed senior IPS officer G Venkataraman as the acting Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF), following the retirement of Shankar Jiwal.

However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from BJP leader and former state president K Annamalai, who termed the appointment “illegal” and alleged that it undermines the police force’s integrity.

“DGP Shankar Jiwal retired on Sunday morning, and G Venkataraman assumed charge as acting DGP. Why bypass six senior officers to appoint Venkataraman? Officers such as Seema Agarwal, Sandeep Rai Rathore, Abhay Kumar Singh, Vanniyaperumal, Rajeev Kumar, and Pramod Kumar were all senior,” Annamalai said.

He claimed that of the eight DGPs in service, six seniors and two juniors skipped the event. “How will law and order be maintained when internal discord and power struggles are introduced by the Chief Minister into the police force?” he asked.

Referring to the NARI 2025 report on women’s safety, Annamalai said, “Out of 31 cities, Chennai ranks 21st. Only 6% of women feel completely safe, while 46% feel somewhat safe, and 48% do not feel safe. The DMK government should be ashamed. Amid such alarming figures, the Chief Minister has created conflict within the force. This is illegal and against the law,” he asserted.

Annamalai urged the state to forward a list of five eligible names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for consideration, as per established procedure, and make the appointment from the three names recommended by the Commission.

At a low-key ceremony on Sunday, Jiwal, a 1990-batch IPS officer, formally handed over charge to Venkataraman. On August 30, Jiwal was named Chairman of the newly formed Tamil Nadu Fire Commission, effective September 1.

In another appointment, Vinit Dev Wankhede, DGP Headquarters, was named Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation Limited, replacing Shailesh Kumar Yadav, who retired, according to an official release.