Lucknow/Sultanpur: Inspector General of Police Kiran S, who heads the Lucknow Range, has been appointed to lead a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the collision involving vehicles travelling behind Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s convoy on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur district on October 26, 2026.
The three-member team was constituted on the directions of Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident, examine possible lapses in security and traffic management, and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
Kiran S will lead the investigation, assisted by Sultanpur Additional Superintendent of Police Brij Narayan Singh and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Ram Krishna Chaturvedi.
The appointment has brought attention to Kiran S, a 2008-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre who previously served on central deputation with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He was awarded the Interpol Medal of Excellence in November 2025 for his service in international police cooperation and investigations.
Who Is IG Kiran S?
Kiran S is an Indian Police Service officer from the 2008 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. According to his official Uttar Pradesh Police profile, his full name is recorded as Kiran S, and he was born on September 20, 1982. His home place is listed as Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and his father’s name is Dr P. J. Sivakumar.
He holds an M.Tech degree in Electronics and entered the IPS as a direct-recruit officer after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Kiran S currently serves as Inspector General of Police, Lucknow Range. He assumed the posting on January 7, 2026, following his return to the Uttar Pradesh cadre after an extended period on central deputation.
His career has included senior responsibilities in the CBI, where he served for several years and rose to the rank of Deputy Inspector General before returning to his parent cadre.
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Long Tenure with the Central Bureau of Investigation
One of the defining phases of Kiran S’s career was his central deputation to the CBI, which began in June 2016.
He served in the investigative agency as a Superintendent of Police before being promoted to the rank of DIG. His deputation continued until late 2025, with extensions during his tenure.
His time in the CBI gave him experience in investigations handled by a central law-enforcement agency and in cases requiring coordination across jurisdictions.
After completing his deputation, he returned to Uttar Pradesh in January 2026. He was promoted to the rank of Inspector General of Police and posted as IG, Lucknow Range, on January 7.
His subsequent appointment as head of the SIT investigating the convoy collision places him in charge of an inquiry involving vehicle movement, security arrangements and traffic coordination during a high-profile political visit.
Kiran S Received Interpol Medal of Excellence in 2025
Kiran S received the Interpol Medal of Excellence on November 27, 2025, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police’s official officer profile.
The recognition is among the notable distinctions in his service record and reflects his association with international police cooperation and investigative work.
His official profile also records the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service, along with other service recognitions.
His career progression includes promotion to the Senior Scale in January 2012, Selection Grade in January 2021, DIG in January 2022 and IG in January 2026.
These milestones trace his progression through the IPS before his present assignment in Uttar Pradesh.
Why Has Kiran S Been Appointed to Lead the SIT?
The Uttar Pradesh Police constituted the SIT following the collision involving vehicles travelling behind Rahul Gandhi’s convoy on the Purvanchal Expressway.
The incident occurred on the morning of October 26, as Gandhi was travelling from Lucknow to Sultanpur to appear before a special MP/MLA court in a criminal defamation case.
According to police accounts reported by the media, a private vehicle associated with local Congress leaders braked suddenly, causing vehicles following it to collide. The precise reason for the braking and the sequence of events leading to the collision remain matters for investigation.
The SIT has been tasked with establishing the cause and circumstances of the accident and determining whether any negligence or lapses occurred in security, escort arrangements or traffic management.
It will also examine the movement and coordination of vehicles accompanying the convoy and submit a detailed report to Police Headquarters at the earliest.
The team is expected to recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Three-Member SIT to Investigate the Collision
The team comprises three officers from the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Kiran S, Inspector General of Police, Lucknow Range, is the head of the SIT. Brij Narayan Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, Sultanpur, and Ram Krishna Chaturvedi, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Sultanpur, are its other members.
The investigation will focus on the circumstances of the collision, including the movement of vehicles behind the Congress leader’s convoy and the adequacy of the security and traffic arrangements.
The formation of the SIT does not establish that a security lapse occurred. Its purpose is to determine the facts and identify any shortcomings, if found, through a formal inquiry.
What Happened on the Purvanchal Expressway?
Rahul Gandhi arrived at Lucknow airport on Monday morning before beginning his road journey to Sultanpur, where he was scheduled to appear before the court.
During the journey, vehicles travelling behind his convoy collided on the Purvanchal Expressway near the Haliyapur area of Sultanpur district.
Reports differed on the number of vehicles involved and the extent of injuries. Police accounts described a minor collision, with no major injuries reported, while some reports referred to people sustaining minor injuries. Gandhi was safe, and his own vehicle was not involved in the collision.
The convoy subsequently continued towards Sultanpur, where Gandhi appeared in court for the scheduled hearing.
The SIT will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the sequence of events.
Rahul Gandhi Acquitted in Sultanpur Defamation Case
The accident occurred on the same day that a special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur acquitted Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case linked to remarks he allegedly made about then BJP president Amit Shah during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election campaign.
The complaint was filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra on August 4, 2018. It concerned remarks Gandhi made at a press conference in Bengaluru in May 2018, referring to Shah as an accused in a murder case.
The court ruled in Gandhi’s favour on October 26, 2026. The verdict prompted celebrations among Congress supporters gathered outside the court.
Gandhi’s court appearance was the reason for his visit to Sultanpur when the collision involving vehicles behind his convoy occurred.
Kiran S’s Role in the Investigation
As the SIT head, Kiran S will oversee the inquiry into the collision and coordinate the work of the two other officers on the team.
The investigation will need to establish how the vehicles were moving, what triggered the sudden braking and subsequent collision, and whether the arrangements for escorting and managing traffic around the convoy were adequate.
The SIT has also been directed to identify preventive measures based on its findings.
The report is expected to provide the Uttar Pradesh Police leadership with a clearer account of the incident and any administrative or operational improvements required.
For Kiran S, the assignment adds another significant responsibility to his career after years of service in the CBI and his return to a senior leadership position in the Uttar Pradesh Police.
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