Mon Feb 03 17:35:05 IST 2025: ## Police Probe Clears ADGP of Arson, Rules Out Threat to Life
**Chennai, February 3, 2025** – A police investigation into a July fire that gutted the office of Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) Kalpana Nayak has concluded that the blaze was caused by a short circuit, ruling out any foul play or threat to her life, Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal announced today.
Ms. Nayak, who served as ADGP of the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB), had previously alleged an attempt on her life following her exposure of irregularities in the recruitment process. She filed a complaint on August 14, 2024, suspecting sabotage. The complaint was immediately forwarded to the Chennai Commissioner of Police for investigation.
A thorough investigation involving forensic experts, fire services, electrical engineers, and statements from 31 witnesses, determined that a short circuit in copper wiring was the cause. Forensic analysis ruled out the presence of any accelerants like petrol or diesel.
Ms. Nayak’s allegations gained prominence after the AIADMK, BJP, and Pattali Makkal Katchi voiced concerns over the recruitment irregularities and the alleged threat. The irregularities involved the application of reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the recruitment of sub-inspectors, police constables, prison warders, and firemen.
The TNUSRB clarified that the final provisional list for the recruitment of 750 sub-inspectors and station officers was published on January 30, 2024, following a May 2023 notification. Subsequent legal challenges led to a revision of the list in October 2024, after the TNUSRB admitted to misinterpreting the communal roster. The board stated that Ms. Nayak’s recommendations were considered during the revision process.
First Piper 