Nagarajan takes over as Madurai Collector

Prior to his assignment, Nagarajan, a 2005 batch IAS officer, served as an Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department and Project Director, Tamil Nadu, Health Systems Project.

After assuming charge in his office, he said security measures would be strengthened in ensuing by-election to Tiruparankundram Assembly constituency scheduled on May 19.

Currently, nine flying squad teams have been deputed and it could be increased if required to ensure smooth conduct of bypolls, he added.

Earlier, Nagarajan served as Collector in Theni during April to May 2016 and as Kanniyakumari Collector from January 2012 to September 2014, sources said. 

His predecessor and former Collector and District Election Officer S Natarajan was transferred based on Madras High Court order. Interestingly, the transfer transpired even as a division bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing the plea moved by Su Venkatesan, CPM candidate for Madurai Lok Sabha elections, seeking three interim prayers, which included the Collector’s transfer as he failed to properly handle the gross security lapse.

Earlier, the bench, in its order, held that it was inclined to direct the EC to transfer the RO, ARO, Personal assistant to the District Collector, Mohandas, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and such other policemen who allowed Tahsildar Sampoornam and others to enter into the store room.

However, the bench also held, “There is absolutely no action against the personal assistant (general) who had caused the incident, which caused breach of secrecy and security, as per the provisions of the election laws and instructions issued.”