Latika Saran is the new police commissioner of Chennai.

The 1976 batch IPS officer replaces R Nataraj, who was removed from the post at the instance of the Election Commission for his comment praising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

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In an interview to a daily, Nataraj had said, "An ideal woman is someone who manages both her personal and professional life well. In this respect, I think our Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is the perfect example of the ideal woman. I think she is an icon and every woman should look up to her."

The comments proved costly for Nataraj as the Election Commission found them in violation of the model code of conduct, which had come into force following the March 1 announcement of Assembly elections in four states and a Union Territory. The EC had subsequently sought his transfer.

Latika is among the most distinguished police officers of Tamil Nadu, having been awarded the President's medal for meritorious service in 2001, besides earning the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1994.