CM Vijay shunts vigilance chief A Arun after 2 months amid row over his appointment

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Monday transferred senior IPS officer A Arun from his post as Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), the state's anti-corruption watchdog, less than two months after his appointment to the position. He has been replaced by C Mageshwari IPS, who was serving as Inspector General of Police, in a significant bureaucratic reshuffle.

Arun, an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-rank officer, has now been posted as Director of the Tamil Nadu Police Academy in Chennai, filling an existing vacancy. The transfer takes immediate effect, according to a government order issued by Additional Chief Secretary K Manivasan.

Mageshwari, an IG-rank officer who was serving with the Special Investigation Cell in the DVAC, has been entrusted with full additional charge as Director of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.

The move marks a remarkably swift reassignment for Arun, who was appointed DVAC Director in late May by the newly elected Vijay-led government.

Arun's elevation as the state's anti-corruption chief had attracted criticism even before his appointment. During the Assembly election campaign, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had described him as a "pro-DMK" officer while he was serving as Greater Chennai Police Commissioner.

Prior to his brief stint at the DVAC, Arun headed the Chennai city police force. During the 2026 Assembly election period, the Election Commission had placed him on compulsory wait following representations from political parties alleging administrative bias and seeking his transfer while the Model Code of Conduct was in force.

His appointment as Vigilance and Anti-Corruption chief also came under judicial scrutiny. The Madras High Court had made strong observations regarding his elevation, stressing the importance of maintaining the credibility and integrity of the anti-corruption agency.

The court noted that the office of the DVAC Director had traditionally been occupied by officers of "exceptional calibre and integrity", citing former chiefs CV Narasimhan and CL Ramakrishnan as examples. It observed that "even a whiff of allegation" had never been made against them during their careers.

Underscoring the significance of the post, the High Court remarked that, "Just as Caesar's wife must be above suspicion, the post of Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption should be headed by professionals of sterling reputation."

The Vijay government's decision to remove Arun from the post barely two months after his appointment is likely to draw attention given the controversy that had surrounded his selection as the state's top anti-corruption officer.

- Ends