Acting DGP to Head Tamil Nadu Police Force Till Shankar Jiwal’s Successor is Appointed

With incumbent Director-General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force Shankar Jiwal set to retire on August 31, 2025, the Tamil Nadu government is preparing to appoint an acting DGP until a full-time successor is finalized. The move comes amidst procedural delays in forwarding the eligible officers’ panel to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), a requirement laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark Prakash Singh case. This development has triggered fresh debates over compliance with apex court guidelines and the state’s approach to senior police leadership succession.

Supreme Court Guidelines and Prakash Singh Case

The Supreme Court, in its historic judgment in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, directed all states to ensure transparency in the appointment of the Director-General of Police. The court specifically mandated that state governments must send a list of eligible DGP-rank officers to the UPSC at least three months before the retirement of the incumbent chief. This process ensures that the UPSC has sufficient time to empanel three senior officers based on merit and service record, from which the state government can appoint one as the new DGP.

However, the Tamil Nadu government did not forward its proposal in time. As a result, the state is now left with no option but to appoint an officer to hold additional charge of the post of DGP/Head of Police Force until the UPSC completes its empanelment process. This interim measure, however, stands in contrast to the Supreme Court’s explicit caution against the concept of an “acting DGP.”

State Government’s Dilemma Over Compliance

Senior police officers expressed surprise as to why the proposal was not sent on time, since the date of retirement of Shankar Jiwal had been well known in advance. Sources in the police headquarters indicated that the file was being finalized and would be dispatched to the UPSC within a couple of days. Yet, this delay has now forced the government to explore stopgap arrangements, even though the Supreme Court had categorically stated that the idea of an acting DGP does not exist in law.

The state government had, in fact, recently informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that the process for appointing the new DGP in line with apex court and Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines was already underway. But given the looming vacancy, an interim head of the police force is inevitable for at least the next few weeks.

Order of Seniority and Eligible Officers

According to seniority lists and service records, the names of Seema Agrawal, Rajeev Kumar, and Sandeep Rai Rathore are expected to feature in the UPSC’s panel of three. They are currently among the most senior officers eligible for consideration. Following them in the hierarchy are K. Vannia Perumal, Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, G. Venkatraman, Vinit Dev Wankhede, and Sanjay Mathur. These officers will also be under consideration depending on the UPSC’s evaluation.

However, officers such as Pramod Kumar and Abhay Kumar Singh may not be considered as they have less than six months of service remaining. The guidelines stipulate that an officer must have a minimum of two years left in service at the time of appointment to ensure stability and continuity in leadership.

Possible Interim Appointment

Speculation is rife in the state police circles that G. Venkatraman, presently serving as DGP (Administration), may be given additional charge as an interim head of the force. This would allow the state government to ensure continuity in command while awaiting the UPSC’s empanelment of eligible officers. At the same time, there are reports that the state may prefer to hold the charge with one of the officers who will likely be included in the final UPSC panel of three, thereby reducing the chances of administrative disruptions later.

Even if the list is dispatched immediately, the UPSC process is expected to take at least one month. Once the panel of three names is sent back, the state government must appoint one among them as the full-time DGP/Head of Police Force. The selected officer will serve for a minimum of two years, irrespective of his or her superannuation date, in accordance with Supreme Court directives.