TPSC Chairman Submits Resignation After Meeting Governor Amid Misbehave with Minister Sushanta Chowdhury at Polo Towers Controversy
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, January 7, 2026
Amid mounting controversy following a late night incident involving sitting minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) Chairman Colonel Kush Kumar Sharma (Retd.) has submitted his resignation after meeting Governor Indra Sena Nallu on Monday, official sources confirmed.
Highly placed sources in the State Secretariat said on Tuesday that the Governor has forwarded the resignation letter to the state government for further administrative action. The General Administration (GA-SA) Department has initiated the process to prepare the necessary administrative file for formal acceptance of the resignation.
On Monday, Raj Bhavan (Lok Bhavan) also shared photographs of the meeting between Governor Indra Sena Nallu and TPSC Chairman Kush Kumar Sharma on the official Instagram handle of Lok Bhavan, a move that drew wide public attention in the backdrop of the ongoing controversy.
The controversy erupted following an incident reported on the night of December 28, 2025, at Hotel Polo Towers, Agartala, where Colonel Sharma allegedly misbehaved with Tourism, Transport and Food Minister Sushanta Chowdhury in an intoxicated condition. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of media personnel and several Prabashi Tripurabashis, triggering widespread outrage after visuals and eyewitness accounts circulated on social media.
According to police records, the TPSC Chairman and his son were detained by police following the incident and were taken to IGM Hospital for medical examination before being held for several hours at Agartala NCC Police Station. An FIR was subsequently registered against both.
Police Case and Allegations
In connection with the incident, NCC Police Station Case No. 2025NCC088 dated December 29, 2025, has been registered under Sections 132, 121(1), 117(2), 351(3), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The complaint was lodged by Head Constable Shyamal Ghosh (49) of the Security Unit, Tripura, who was posted as the Personal Security Officer (PSO) to Minister Sushanta Chowdhury. As per the written complaint, the incident occurred around 10:30 pm when the Minister and his security team were attempting to leave the hotel after official engagements.
The complaint alleges that a vehicle blocked the Minister’s convoy and that Colonel Sharma, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, along with his son, came out of the hotel, abused the Minister and security personnel, and behaved aggressively. It is further alleged that the accused attempted to assault the Minister, issued death threats, and tried to snatch firearms from on-duty TSR personnel.
During the altercation, TSR jawan Sukanta Bhowmik reportedly fell and sustained injuries, while another jawan, Kartik Das, faced an attempted snatching of his weapon. The situation was brought under control after NCC Police personnel arrived, and the weapons were recovered. The accused were later identified as Kush Kumar Sharma and his son Meghashish Sharma. The case is currently under investigation.
Tenure and Constitutional Position
Colonel Kush Kumar Sharma was appointed as Chairman of the Tripura Public Service Commission on July 27, 2023. As per constitutional provisions and official records, his tenure was scheduled to continue until April 14, 2026, unless removed through constitutionally prescribed procedures.
Senior bureaucrats and constitutional experts have repeatedly pointed out that a Chairman of a State Public Service Commission can only be removed through impeachment by Parliament, a complex and time consuming process. While the Governor has limited discretionary powers under exceptional circumstances, sources at Raj Bhavan earlier indicated no inclination to invoke such authority, making the recent developments particularly significant.
The episode has reignited debate over eligibility norms for the post of TPSC Chairman. A former retired member of the Commission remarked that the position has traditionally been held by retired District Judges or senior IAS and IPS officers of Principal Secretary or Inspector General rank. While acknowledging the respect commanded by military service, the former member observed that it may not be a full substitute for the administrative and quasi-judicial experience required to head a constitutional recruitment body.
Observers and civil society members have warned that the controversy has caused serious damage to the credibility and dignity of the Tripura Public Service Commission, which plays a crucial role in recruiting and promoting government officers in the state.
Political sources have also alleged that Colonel Sharma’s appointment enjoyed backing from influential quarters, including a strong Delhi-based lobby. Though unverified, such claims have added to the perception of political and constitutional constraints in addressing the issue.
With several key recruitment processes underway, the Tripura government had earlier appeared reluctant to destabilize the Commission through prolonged constitutional confrontation. However, the submission of the resignation marks a significant shift in the unfolding situation.
Further administrative action will depend on the formal acceptance of the resignation by the state government, even as police investigation into the Polo Towers incident continues and public scrutiny remains intense.
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