Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday carried out a significant reshuffle of seven Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, announcing a series of transfer and posting orders that affect key positions in Chennai, Madurai and other important police establishments across the state.
The reshuffle comes at a time when policing and law-and-order management in Chennai have come under increased public scrutiny following the recent Koyambedu bar hit-and-run incident. The transfer of senior officers handling crucial law-and-order responsibilities in the Greater Chennai Police Commissionerate has therefore attracted particular attention.
Kapil Kumar Saratkar Takes Over as Madurai Police Commissioner
Among the most prominent changes, Kapil Kumar C. Saratkar, 2002 batch IPS officer, who was serving as Inspector General of Police and Additional Commissioner of Police (Headquarters and Traffic), Tambaram City Police, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.
He succeeds Abhishek Dixit, who has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Police, Railways, Chennai.
The appointment places Saratkar at the helm of one of Tamil Nadu’s most important city police forces, responsible for maintaining law and order, crime prevention and public safety in Madurai.
Key Changes in Greater Chennai Police
The reshuffle has brought important changes to the leadership structure of the Greater Chennai Police Commissionerate.
Disha Mittal Gets Law & Order-West Charge
Disha Mittal, currently serving as Deputy Inspector General of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North), has been appointed as Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order-West), Greater Chennai Police.
She replaces E.S. Uma, who had been heading the sensitive Law and Order-West zone.
The transfer assumes significance as it comes shortly after the Koyambedu hit-and-run incident, which had drawn considerable public and administrative attention.
P. Pakalavan Appointed Joint Commissioner (Traffic-South)
Senior IPS officer P. Pakalavan, who was awaiting posting on compulsory wait, has been appointed as Deputy Inspector General of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South), Greater Chennai Police.
His appointment is expected to strengthen traffic management and enforcement operations in the southern parts of Chennai.
Bandi Gangadhar Posted as TNPL Chief Vigilance Officer
Another notable transfer involves Bandi Gangadhar, who was serving as Deputy Inspector General of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order-East), Greater Chennai Police.
He has now been transferred and appointed as Chief Vigilance Officer of Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL), Chennai.
The posting shifts him from active city policing to a key vigilance and oversight role in one of Tamil Nadu’s major public sector enterprises.
New Assignments for Loganathan and Thirunavukkarasu
The state government has also issued fresh postings for officers who were either awaiting assignment or moving to new responsibilities.
Dr J. Loganathan Appointed IGP, Technical Services
Dr J. Loganathan, who was on compulsory wait, has been posted as Inspector General of Police, Technical Services, Chennai.
The Technical Services wing plays a crucial role in modern policing by supporting surveillance systems, communications infrastructure, forensic technologies and other technical capabilities.
Dr R. Thirunavukkarasu Posted to Tirunelveli Range
Dr R. Thirunavukkarasu has been appointed as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range.
The posting places him in charge of policing and supervision across several districts falling under the Tirunelveli Range.
Reshuffle Comes Amid Heightened Focus on Law and Order
The latest IPS reshuffle assumes significance as it follows recent law-and-order developments in Chennai, including the widely discussed Koyambedu bar hit-and-run case.
While the government has not officially linked the transfers to any specific incident, the reassignment of senior officers handling critical law-and-order jurisdictions has drawn attention within administrative and policing circles.
Officials said the transfers are aimed at strengthening leadership across key police formations and ensuring efficient functioning of law enforcement agencies in the state.
Complete List of Key Transfers
- Kapil Kumar C. Saratkar – Appointed Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.
- Abhishek Dixit – Posted as Inspector General of Police, Railways, Chennai.
- Disha Mittal – Appointed Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order-West), Greater Chennai Police.
- P. Pakalavan – Posted as DIG and Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South), Greater Chennai Police.
- Bandi Gangadhar – Appointed Chief Vigilance Officer, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited.
- Dr J. Loganathan – Posted as Inspector General of Police, Technical Services, Chennai.
- Dr R. Thirunavukkarasu – Appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range.
The reshuffle is expected to bring fresh leadership to several important policing and administrative positions across Tamil Nadu.
