Published May 25, 2026 | 1:45 PM ⚊ Updated May 25, 2026 | 1:45 PM
ADGP Dr A Amalraj.
Synopsis: The Tamil Nadu government has appointed ADGP Dr A Amalraj as the Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner. Dr Amalraj, one of the seniormost ADGPs in Tamil Nadu, belongs to the 1996-batch of the IPS and earlier served as Commissioner of Police, Tambaram, in two different tenures.
Dr A Amalraj, the man who once said, “If someone addresses you as thozhar (comrade), cut off their links,” during his tenure as Coimbatore Police Commissioner, has now been appointed as the Chennai Police Commissioner.
Known for his keen interest in shooting sports and his administrative efficiency, Amalraj has built multiple identities within the Tamil Nadu police force. He is widely regarded as a strict and disciplined officer, and it is this image that has now elevated him to one of the most significant policing posts in the state capital.
He took charge on Friday, 22 May, and replaces Abhin Dinesh Modak, who has been posted as ADGP to the Crime Branch-CID.
Dr Amalraj, one of the seniormost ADGPs in Tamil Nadu, belongs to the 1996-batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS) and earlier served as Commissioner of Police, Tambaram, in two different tenures.
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Hailing from Kuzhithurai in the Kanniyakumari district, Amalraj completed his schooling at Carmel School in Nagercoil before graduating from St. Joseph’s College in Tiruchirappalli. He holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and a PhD from Madurai Kamaraj University.
Amalraj started his career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Tiruppur.
Later, he served as Superintendent of Police (SP) across Madurai Rural, Dharmapuri, Theni, Kanchipuram, and Viluppuram.
He had also served as the Police Commissioner for Salem, Tiruchirappalli, and Coimbatore and held high-profile assignments, including Additional Commissioner of Chennai Police Headquarters, ADGP of the Operations (Commando) unit, and Director of the Tamil Nadu Police Academy.
“Though I have not worked under him, I know Amalraj for his sense of belonging and being people-friendly in nature. However, he never hesitates to take firm action against antisocial elements,” a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Karunanidhi, told South First.
“In the administration, he gives equal importance to the maintenance of discipline and welfare. He is also a good writer,” he added.
Amalraj has also been honoured with both the prestigious President’s Police Medal and the Chief Minister’s Medals for meritorious public service.
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Amalraj, who is often seen as an officer skilled in administrative functioning within the Tamil Nadu Police, landed in controversy in 2017 over his handling of the Jallikattu protests.
Serving as the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner at the time, Amalraj played a key role in bringing the protests to an end.
During a press interaction, his remarks about Left organisations and parties such as Naam Tamilar Katchi sparked controversy. In particular, his statement, “If someone addresses you as thozhar (comrade), cut off their links”, drew widespread criticism from Left movements.
Responding to the remarks, late CPI veteran D Pandian had questioned whether Coimbatore Commissioner Amalraj was truly educated, adding that the term thozhar had been in usage since the days of labour leader Singaravelar.
In the same press conference, Amalraj had alleged that organisations such as Campus Front of India, Makkal Adhikaram, Naam Tamilar Katchi, May 17 Movement, RSYF, CPI(ML), SFI, and DYFI were influencing leaderless youth with “anti-national ideologies”, including demands for a separate Tamil nation and slogans that could undermine national unity.
He further claimed that these organisations were instigating the protesting youth.
The remarks triggered significant controversy at the time.
It is in this backdrop that Amalraj has now been appointed as the Chennai Police Commissioner under the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government, which currently enjoys the support of the same Communist parties that had once criticised him.
According to reports, during his tenures in Salem, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli, Amalraj pioneered the setup of modern control rooms and integrated CCTV networks, which successfully contributed to a 40 percent reduction in local crime rates.
He also played a pivotal role in preserving police history by establishing the state’s very first interactive Police Museums in Coimbatore and Egmore, Chennai.
Further, he is a state-level police shooting champion and was instrumental in developing world-class tactical shooting ranges for personnel in Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore.
Beyond active duty, he has written five popular books aimed at professional development and motivation, including “Management Traits that Bring Success to Police” and “If You Think You Can Win, You Can Win”.
Despite the criticisms surrounding him, Dr A Amalraj is widely regarded within the Tamil Nadu police force as a strict officer and an efficient administrator. Many have therefore welcomed his appointment as the Chennai Police Commissioner.
In particular, during the previous regime, when former Chennai Commissioner A Arun held the post, the city police faced several allegations and controversies. Against this backdrop, Amalraj’s appointment is being seen as an attempt to streamline the administration and restore order within the force.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
