AGARTALA | January 7, 2026 — The ongoing controversy surrounding the Chairman of the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC), Colonel Kush Kumar Sharma (Retd.), reached a new flashpoint yesterday following a high-profile courtesy meeting with the Hon’ble Governor, Shri Indra Sena Reddy Nallu.
While the specifics of the dialogue remain confidential, the meeting has sent shockwaves through the state’s political and administrative corridors. Adding to the intrigue, the Governor’s official Instagram handle publicly shared a photograph of the interaction—a move seen by many as a significant signal amid the mounting pressure for the Chairman’s resignation.
The Midnight Altercation at Polo Towers
The controversy stems from a criminal case (NCC PS Case No. 2025NCC088) registered following a late-night incident on December 28, 2025. According to a formal complaint by the security detail of Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Colonel Sharma and his son allegedly:
- Blocked the Minister’s convoy at a local hotel.
- Verbally abused and physically threatened the Minister and his PSOs.
- Attempted to snatch firearms from on-duty TSR personnel, resulting in injuries to a jawan.
The Chairman faces charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including obstructing a public servant and criminal intimidation.
The Constitutional Shield
Despite widespread public outrage and an informal expectation of his resignation, Colonel Sharma has reportedly maintained a defiant stance, citing the constitutional protections afforded to his office.
Under Indian law, a State Public Service Commission Chairman enjoys a high degree of immunity. Removal is not an administrative task for the state government; it typically requires a complex impeachment process in Parliament. This “constitutional helplessness” has left the state government in a precarious position, hesitant to destabilize the Commission while critical recruitment cycles are active.
Questions Over Appointment and Credibility
The incident has reopened a debate regarding the eligibility criteria for the TPSC head.
“While military service is prestigious, this role has traditionally been reserved for retired District Judges or senior IAS/IPS officers with extensive administrative and quasi-judicial experience,” noted a former Commission member.
There are also unverified allegations that Sharma’s appointment was facilitated by influential lobbies in New Delhi, complicating any local intervention.
Erosion of Public Trust
With his tenure scheduled to end on April 14, 2026, Colonel Sharma appears set to remain in office unless extraordinary constitutional measures are invoked. However, observers warn that the shadow of a criminal investigation over the head of the state’s premier recruitment body risks severely eroding public confidence in the fairness of future government appointments.
As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on Raj Bhavan to see if the Governor will transition from “courtesy meetings” to a more interventionist role
