Following the airing of his grievances against his superiors, the Tamil Nadu government has suspended M. Sundaresan, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Prohibition Enforcement Wing – PEW). The action came two days after Sundaresan walked from his office to his house — a video of which went viral on social media — drawing public condemnation over the treatment meted out to an officer who claimed he was being punished for refusing to toe the line of his superiors and the government.
On July 17, a video clip showing Sundaresan walking to his office in full uniform went viral on social media platforms. He claimed that he was deprived of his official vehicle on the pretext that it was required for escort duties for a Minister and the Chief Minister. Following the video’s circulation, the government issued a release denying the allegation that his official vehicle was repurposed.
Subsequently, Sundaresan addressed the media, alleging harassment by district officials, whom he named, acting under instructions from two top police officers, including those in the Intelligence and Law & Order wings of the Tamil Nadu police in Chennai. He claimed his vehicle was withdrawn “to persecute me for my sincerity.” The officer, who was allotted a compact SUV in April, said it was taken back on July 11 after he refused to approve various “unofficial” requests. He was then assigned another vehicle with fewer features, which he stated was not roadworthy.
என்னை dog squadக்கு மாற்றுங்கள் என தமிழக காவல்துறை அதிகாரி வெளிப்படையாக பொதுவெளியில் சொல்வது இதுவே முதன்முறை. மோசத்தின் உச்சம் pic.twitter.com/g0MbBou7NC
— Vinothkrishnamurti (@vinukaran1) July 18, 2025
The video of the DSP walking on the road in uniform drew widespread condemnation from political parties. They highlighted the state of affairs within the police force and lamented the fall of what was once a department reputed to be on par with Scotland Yard. Former Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai remarked that the vehicle was withdrawn “to humiliate him because of his sincere actions.” Political leaders and members of the public pointed out that Sundaresan had taken stern action against illegal bars in Mayiladuthurai district.
Nainar has hit the nail on its head.
Instead of probing the role played by Mr. Senthilvelan and Davidson, and the charges made by the Dy SP, his suspension shows the arrogance of the government.
Suspension of Sundaresan is yet another attempt to coverup the ill deeds and… https://t.co/00pT5thLWO
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) July 18, 2025
Sundaresan stated, “I am being persecuted and pressurised by my seniors because of my sincerity at work. There is a limit to patience. Enough is enough. What can they do — suspend me or transfer me elsewhere? My hands are clean. I have nothing to hide or fear.”
Mayiladuthurai SP G. Stalin dismissed the incident as “a stunt,” claiming Sundaresan refused to use the substitute vehicle provided. “He pulled a stunt to attract media attention. He has a hidden agenda behind his actions,” said the SP. “As per service rules, a DSP cannot address the press. Only a city commissioner or district SP may do so.”
Thanjavur Range DIG Ziaul Haque submitted a departmental inquiry report to the IG (Central Zone) on July 18, stating that instead of approaching his superiors with his grievances, the DSP questioned the SP’s authority and exhibited “sheer indiscipline,” which warranted suspension.
IG Josh Nirmal Kumar forwarded the report to the DGP, and on July 19, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Kumar ordered Sundaresan’s suspension.
Coming down heavily on the DMK government, Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran slammed the state for allegedly ignoring Sundaresan’s claims of harassment, intimidation, humiliation, and multiple transfers after he submitted a whistleblower report to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). He called the government’s apathy “condemnable” and warned that such administrative chaos could further deteriorate the already fragile law and order situation.
He said, “Under the DMK regime, Tamil Nadu Police is in disarray and being mocked. DSP Sundaresan, known for his integrity, was suspended, denied a vehicle, and subjected to unwarranted targeting — all for doing his duty.”
Nagendran accused several senior officers — including SP G. Stalin, Inspector Balachandran, IG Senthil Velan, and DGP S. Davidson Devaseervatham — of misconduct, including allegedly demanding bribes and filing false charges against innocent citizens.
In his statement, Nagendran added: “Tamil Nadu Police is in shambles and a laughing stock under DMK rule! What further proof is needed that the DMK’s chaotic rule is nearing its end? Why was Sundaresan transferred to Mayiladuthurai despite opposition from Mani Kumar, the State Human Rights Commissioner and a retired judge? This transfer occurred even after Sundaresan, while working at the SHRC, submitted a report on custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu and named senior police officers. Is this how honest officers are treated under the DMK?”
He further noted that the DSP had registered 1,200 cases and arrested 700 individuals for offences including illegal liquor sales and ganja smuggling in just nine months since his transfer — evidence, he argued, of Sundaresan’s continued integrity.
“If that’s the case, why should his official vehicle be withdrawn? Is the DMK government indirectly suggesting that Sundaresan, left without proper security, can be targeted by adversaries at will?”
Despite Sundaresan levelling specific allegations against SP Stalin, Inspector Balachandran, IG Senthil Velan, and DGP Davidson Asirvatham, no inquiry has reportedly been launched.
Nagendran said, “This clearly shows an autocratic style of governance. Under DMK rule, public complaints have no value — nor do the grievances of honest police officers.”
காவல்துறை அதிகாரிகள் துன்புறுத்தப்படுகிறார்கள் என்று எழும் குற்றச்சாட்டுகளுக்கு செவி சாய்க்காமல் இருப்பதோடு, அவ்வாறு குற்றம் சாட்டியவர்களையே @arivalayam அரசு பணிநீக்கம் செய்வது கடும் கண்டனத்திற்குரியது. இந்த அராஜகப் போக்கால் காவல்துறையினர் பாதிக்கப்படுவதோடு, ஏற்கனவே… pic.twitter.com/PXqgPf4nBo
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) July 18, 2025
Nagendran concluded, “Turning victims into culprits is an art the DMK has mastered. But it’s shocking even powerful police officers suffer the same fate. How will police personnel working under such mental stress treat the public with compassion? Where will they vent their anger? An administration that doesn’t consider who is truly affected is unfit to govern. Instead of the drama of ‘taking governance to the people,’ Chief Minister Stalin’s foremost duty is to clean up the police department that reports directly to him. He must also order a thorough investigation into the officers named by Sundaresan. Will the DMK realise that this anarchic governance not only affects the police force but also further erodes an already crumbling law-and-order situation?”
Responding to earlier allegations dating from 2005 to 2010, Sundaresan asked why he hadn’t been suspended at the time if those accusations were true. He said, “If I had done anything wrong, I would’ve been suspended back then. Instead, I was transferred to more important posts. Not even the DGP ever questioned me about those charges. No one conducted a proper investigation against me.”
