Tamil Nadu IPS officer alleges sabotage in office fire linked to police recruitment scandal

On the day the fire broke out, Nayak had been scheduled to visit the TNUSRB headquarters in Chennai but was informed by a senior officer that a fire had erupted in her office, preventing her from entering the building. (Image: X/@EPSTamilNadu)

A senior IPS officer in Tamil Nadu has raised alarm over what she believes to be an attempted attack on her life, possibly linked to her efforts to expose significant irregularities in the state's police recruitment process.

Kalpana Nayak, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) and a member of the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB), has formally requested an impartial investigation into a fire that destroyed her office in Chennai on July 29, 2024. Nayak claims the fire occurred shortly after she uncovered discrepancies in the implementation of communal reservations in the recruitment of sub-inspectors, constables, prison warders, and firemen.

In her complaint to Tamil Nadu's Director General of Police, Shankar Jiwal, Nayak argued that her efforts to expose flaws in the recruitment process led to a ruling by the Madras High Court, ordering a revision of the selection list. Nayak believes her actions caused embarrassment to the state government and put her life at risk, resulting in significant damage to government property.

The controversy began last March when Nayak highlighted issues with the application of communal reservation policies in police recruitment. This prompted the TNUSRB to form a sub-committee to investigate the matter, ultimately leading to the publication of a revised candidate list as directed by the Madras High Court.

Upon arriving at the scene, she discovered her chair had been completely charred, and the fire had caused substantial damage to her office space. In her complaint, Nayak expressed shock and concern, stating that had she arrived just minutes earlier, she could have been caught in the blaze.

Authorities later attributed the fire to a short circuit in the air-conditioning system. However, the timing of the fire, just as Nayak was about to approve the revised list of candidates, raised suspicions that the incident might not have been accidental. Despite the gravity of the situation, no immediate action was taken against any staff members, leading Nayak to file her complaint on August 15, 2024, urging a thorough investigation into possible foul play or sabotage.

Opposition leaders have strongly condemned the state government over the allegations. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) called the situation "condemnable and shameful" in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He questioned if murder was the response to exposing irregularities, asking, "How will people dare to voice their grievances if an ADGP is targeted and her office is set on fire?"

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BJP State President K. Annamalai also voiced his concerns on social media, stating, "Flaunting rules and laws have become customary in Tamil Nadu under this DMK government."

Flouting rules & laws have become customary in TN under this DMK Government. Even Top Police officials are not spared for speaking the uncomfortable truth that could expose the pathetic nature in which this Government is functioning. ADGP Kalpana Nayak avl pointed out the K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 3, 2025

Nayak has also alleged that the revised list of candidates was published on the TNUSRB website a day after the fire, without her approval, further casting doubt on the integrity of the recruitment process. In her complaint, Nayak questioned the safety of senior officers within the police force, emphasizing that if her safety could not be assured in her own office, it raised serious questions about the state of law enforcement in Tamil Nadu.