ECI Rolls Back DVAC Chief Appointment in Tamil Nadu
Poll body withdraws Sandeep Mittal order after DMK flags bias ahead of Assembly elections
- ECI withdraws order appointing Sandeep Mittal as DVAC chief
- DMK objects, calls move “biased and arbitrary”
- Major bureaucratic reshuffle sparks political row
- Tamil Nadu polls scheduled for April 23
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 11th April: The Election Commission of India on Saturday withdrew its order appointing Sandeep Mittal as Director General of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Tamil Nadu, following strong objections from the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
In a revised order, the Commission stated that Mittal will continue in his existing role as Director General of Police (Armed Police). However, it did not clarify whether current DVAC chief Davidson Devasirvatham will continue in the post.
The rollback comes after DMK Treasurer and MP T. R. Baalu wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns over the appointment and calling it “arbitrary and unreasonable.”
Baalu also objected to the transfer of Chief Secretary Muruganandam, stating that no justification had been provided and no political party had complained against the officer. He urged the Commission to revoke the order, highlighting the importance of administrative continuity during elections.
The DMK further alleged bias in Mittal’s appointment, citing his alleged proximity to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and argued that the DVAC chief must be an officer of “impeccable integrity and impartiality.”
The Commission’s initial orders had triggered a wider administrative reshuffle, affecting key positions including Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police (Law & Order), DVAC chief, and several city police commissioners.
As part of the changes, the ECI appointed Saikumar as Chief Secretary, K Manivasan as Home Secretary, and Sandeep Rairathore as the new state police chief.
The move has sparked a political confrontation ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23.
Chief Minister M. K. Stalin strongly criticised the transfer of the Chief Secretary, calling it a “one-sided and excessive political action.”
Earlier, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by Vijay had urged the Election Commission to transfer top officials, alleging bias in favour of the ruling DMK—an allegation rejected by the party.
