DGP Amaraesh Pujari, a distinguished officer known for his integrity and fearless approach to policing, retired from service on Friday. Alongside him, DGP Abhash Kumar of the Fire and Rescue Services also bid farewell to the force.
Pujari, a 1991-batch IPS officer, etched his name in history when, as the then Inspector General (IG) of Intelligence, he warned Tamil Nadu’s formidable Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa, of her impending conviction in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case. His bold prediction materialized within a week, leading to Jayalalithaa’s incarceration.
Unaccustomed to such bluntness, the former CM swiftly transferred Pujari to the Police Academy, but his foresight remained undeniable. “Not everyone would have had the courage to tell Jayalalithaa something like this. Pujari was different—he always believed in speaking the truth to those in power,” recalled a retired police officer who had worked with him.
Pujari’s keen intelligence skills extended beyond this high-profile case. He accurately foresaw an unscheduled visit by then-President Pranab Mukherjee to the residence of ailing DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, even though the official itinerary only included a government event with Jayalalithaa. “The visit to Karunanidhi’s house was not in the schedule until the last minute, but Pujari had already informed Jaya about it,” another veteran officer recounted.
Over his illustrious career, Pujari held key positions across multiple departments. He served as the Commissioner of Police in Coimbatore and headed various state police units. His tenure also included assignments with the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Bureau of Immigration, and CB-CID. Before retiring as the Chief Vigilance Officer of Tamil Nadu Newsprints and Papers Ltd., he also led the Tamil Nadu Prisons Department.
Pujari’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career defined by unwavering principles, strategic foresight, and an unyielding commitment to truth. As Tamil Nadu’s law enforcement landscape bids farewell to one of its most formidable officers, his legacy of fearless service remains an enduring inspiration.
