Tamil Nadu: Chennai Police commissioner transferred days after BSP leader K Armstrong's murder

Sandeep Rai Rathore will be replaced by senior IPS officer Arun as the new Commissioner of Police.

Published on: Jul 8, 2024, 13:59:17 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday transferred Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore, days after the brutal killing of Tamil Nadu Bahujan Samaj Party Chief K Armstrong in the city, news agency PTI reported.

Sandeep Rai Rathore (Sandeep Rai Rathore (X))

Sandeep Rai Rathore will be replaced by senior IPS officer A Arun, who is currently the additional director general of Police (ADGP), Law and Order.

Also read | 3 more suspects arrested in BSP leader Armstrong’s murder case

According to an order issued by the home department's principal secretary P Amudha, A Arun was being posted as the ADGP/commissioner of police, Greater Chennai by downgrading the post of Sandeep Rai Rathore, IPS. He will now be appointed as DGP, Police Training College, Chennai, which is currently headed by Rajeev Kumar, IPS.

Senior IPS officer Davidson Devasirvatham, ADGP will now take over as ADGP of Law and order in place of Arun.

Home department is headed by Tamil Nadu Chief minister MK Stalin. Rathore's statement that number of murder cases in Chennai has reduced compared to last year had become controversial.

Also read | “Dravidian model a murder model now…”: BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan on BSP leader K Armstrong's killing

Armstrong was hacked to death on Friday by six men who masked as his supporters. The attackers fled the scene on bikes after committing the crime.

Police probing the murder have arrested eleven men so far in relation to the crime. Officials said the crime could be a revenge murder, linked to the killing of a gangster Arcot Suresh, who was killed a year ago, allegedly on the instructions of Armstrong.

BSP chief Mayawati who visited Chennai to pay her last respects to the slain BSP leader demanded a CBI investigation into the murder. She also alleged that real culprits behind the crime have not been arrested by the Tamil Nadu police.

Also read | Madras HC denies permission for Armstrong's burial at BSP office in Chennai

"I urge the state government, especially the CM, to ensure law and order in the state. The weaker sections, in particular, should feel safe. Had the government been serious, the accused would have been arrested. Since that is not the case, we urge the state government to refer the case to the CBI," she said.

Opposition parties like the AIADMK and the BJP have been blaming the ruling DMK for failing to maintain law and order in the state.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.