Chennai, Feb 3 (PTI) – AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has urged the Tamil Nadu government to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations made by senior IPS officer Kalpana Nayak, who claimed an attempt was made on her life for exposing irregularities in police recruitment. He also demanded stringent legal action against those responsible.
The controversy stems from an incident where Nayak’s official chamber was gutted by fire following her allegations of irregularities in the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB). While police investigations, supported by forensic reports, have ruled out arson or sabotage, citing a short circuit as the cause of the fire, the AIADMK leader remains unconvinced.
Palaniswami took to social media to express shock over the incident, calling it a "blot on the police department," which falls under the direct control of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. He criticized the ruling DMK government, stating that such a situation raises concerns about the safety of high-ranking officials and, consequently, the public’s ability to voice grievances without fear.
Police Investigation Rules Out Foul Play
According to the Director General of Police (DGP) office, a formal letter was received from ADGP Kalpana Nayak on August 14, 2024, reporting the fire incident that occurred on July 28, 2024. She alleged sabotage and claimed to have faced threats to her life. The case was immediately registered at the Egmore police station and later transferred to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) for a detailed probe.A comprehensive investigation was carried out, with statements recorded from 31 witnesses. Experts from forensic science, fire services, and electrical departments examined the scene, concluding that the fire resulted from a short circuit in copper wiring. Forensic tests, including thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography, found no traces of arson materials such as petrol or diesel, effectively ruling out any deliberate attack.
TNUSRB Refutes Allegations of Irregularities
Addressing the allegations of recruitment irregularities, TNUSRB clarified that the issue stemmed from a misinterpretation of communal roster provisions in the selection of 750 Sub-Inspector and Fire and Rescue Station Officer posts in 2023. Following the publication of the final provisional selection list on January 30, 2024, five candidates challenged the communal reservation process in the Madras High Court.The TNUSRB acknowledged the misinterpretation in court and agreed to rectify the issue in compliance with a 2020 Supreme Court order. The High Court subsequently directed a revision of the selection process. The TNUSRB "redid" the recruitment process as per the court’s directives, uploading the revised selection list on October 3, 2024. The Board asserted that all necessary corrections were made, including recommendations suggested by Nayak, dismissing her allegations as unsubstantiated.
Political Fallout and Opposition’s Demands
Despite the police and TNUSRB’s clarifications, Palaniswami remains firm in his stance, calling for a transparent probe into Nayak’s allegations and ensuring her security. He questioned the government’s handling of the issue and demanded accountability from Chief Minister Stalin.The incident has sparked a political row, with AIADMK accusing the DMK government of negligence and intimidation against officials attempting to expose malpractices. The opposition is now pressing for an independent investigation, intensifying the political pressure on the ruling dispensation.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes remain on how the Tamil Nadu government addresses the concerns raised by both the opposition and the senior police officer.
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