2nd APRIL 2026 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Sandeep Rai Rathore Appointed as New DGP of Tamil Nadu
- Venkatraman, who had been serving as the Director General of Police (DGP) for Law and Order of the Tamil Nadu Police, has been transferred. In his place, Sandeep Rai Rathore (IPS) has been appointed as the new DGP for Law and Order.
- He brings with him prior experience, having previously served as the Commissioner of Police for both Chennai City and Avadi. Amalraj, who served as the Commissioner of Police for Tambaram, has been transferred; Sanjay Kumar has been appointed as the new Commissioner in his stead.
- Ramya Bharathi has been appointed as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the West Zone, which encompasses key districts including Coimbatore. Her role in maintaining law and order within this zone during the election period is crucial.
- The Governor of Tamil Nadu had rejected a decision by the State Cabinet to grant premature release to John David, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of Navarasu—a student of Annamalai University in Chidambaram—in a case that had shaken the entire nation.
- Challenging this decision, John David's mother filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Madras High Court. Similarly, several other petitions were filed challenging the Governor's orders rejecting the government's recommendations for the premature release of other prisoners.
- A two-judge bench in Chennai, hearing these petitions, ruled that the Governor's rejection of the Tamil Nadu government's recommendations was erroneous and that the Governor lacked the authority to do so; the bench subsequently directed that the government's recommendations be reconsidered.
- Conversely, a separate two-judge bench in Madurai, hearing similar petitions filed in that jurisdiction, ruled that the Governor does possess the authority to reject the government's recommendations. Since conflicting rulings were observed regarding the same issue, the matter concerning the Governor's authority to either accept or reject the recommendations of the State Government was referred to a full bench comprising three judges for adjudication.
- Accordingly, during the proceedings before the full bench comprising Justices A.D. Jagadish Chandira, G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, and Sundar Mohan counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners argued that the Governor lacks the power to reject the recommendations made by the State Government.
- Representing the Government of Tamil Nadu, Chief Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah cited various judgments delivered by the Supreme Court and the High Courts to argue that Governors do not possess the authority to reject recommendations made by the Cabinet regarding the premature release of prisoners.
- Upon the conclusion of arguments from all parties, the bench reserved its verdict without specifying a date on the petitions concerning the scope of the Governor's authority regarding the Tamil Nadu Cabinet's recommendations for premature release.
- Delivering their verdict on these cases today, the judges ruled that the Governor is bound by the Cabinet's decision regarding premature release and commutation of sentences; they further declared that the Governor does not possess the authority to reject such Cabinet decisions, thereby concluding that the Governor cannot set aside the Cabinet's recommendations.
- A bill recognizing Amaravati as the permanent capital of the State of Andhra Pradesh received approval in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) today (April 2). Prior to this, the bill had already been passed in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) on Wednesday.
- Following this, the bill will be forwarded to the President of India for assent. Once the President's assent is received, Amaravati will receive statutory recognition as the capital of Andhra Pradesh, effective from June 2, 2026.
