Ending months of uncertainty over the appointment of a regular police chief, the Tamil Nadu government has named senior IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal as the new Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of the Police Force (HoPF).
A 1994-batch IPS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, Aggarwal is currently serving as Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi. He will succeed Sandeep Rai Rathore as the state’s top police officer.
Also read: UPSC Clears Three Senior IPS Officers for Tamil Nadu Police Chief Post
From BSF Headquarters to Tamil Nadu’s Top Police Post
The appointment follows the recommendation of a panel of three senior IPS officers cleared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the coveted position.
Official sources said the Tamil Nadu government has written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs seeking Aggarwal’s release from the BSF so that he can assume charge in Chennai.
In line with the Supreme Court’s landmark directions in the Prakash Singh case, Aggarwal will enjoy a minimum tenure of two years as DGP and Head of the Police Force.
A Familiar Face in Tamil Nadu Policing
Aggarwal brings extensive experience in law enforcement and public administration, having held several key positions across the state.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as Chennai Police Commissioner and spearheaded initiatives such as “Drive Against Drugs” and “Kaaval Karangal,” aimed at strengthening community policing and combating substance abuse.
He has also served as Commissioner of Police in Madurai and Tirunelveli, building a reputation for operational efficiency and people-centric policing.
Led High-Profile Investigations
As Inspector General of Police in the Crime Branch-CID, Aggarwal oversaw investigations into a series of communal killings that had drawn statewide attention.
He also supervised the probe into the sensational Salem-Chennai Express train heist, in which a gang allegedly broke into a railway coach and stole ₹5.78 crore belonging to the Reserve Bank of India.
His experience extends beyond state policing. During an earlier central deputation, he served as Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Chandigarh.
Strong Border Security Experience
Before his appointment as Tamil Nadu’s police chief, Aggarwal held senior leadership positions in the Border Security Force.
As Commander of the BSF’s Eastern Command, he was responsible for securing over 4,000 kilometres of the strategically sensitive India-Bangladesh border, one of the country’s most challenging frontiers.
Decorated Officer with Distinguished Service Record
Aggarwal is a recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Originally from Bathinda in Punjab, he holds a doctorate from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and is regarded as one of the most experienced officers in the Tamil Nadu cadre.
Appointment Ends Long Wait for Regular Police Chief
The appointment brings closure to a prolonged delay in naming a regular DGP and Head of Police Force after the retirement of former police chief Shankar Jiwal on August 31, 2025.
The selection process had faced legal and administrative hurdles, including contempt proceedings and procedural delays, leading to an extended vacancy in the state’s top policing position.
With Aggarwal’s appointment, Tamil Nadu now has a full-time police chief at a time when issues of law and order, cybercrime, border security coordination and community policing continue to remain high priorities.
Also read: Pooja Kulkarni Gets Excise Charge as Tamil Nadu Unveils Major IAS Reshuffle
