MIDS Professor Alleges Procedural Violations During Police Inquiry Into Fake Instagram Account

Overview of the Incident

Associate Professor A. Kalaiyarasan of the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) has formally alleged that he was subjected to harassment and unlawful detention by police officers. The incident centers on an investigation into an abusive social media post made from an Instagram account that falsely utilized his photograph.

Reported Sequence of Events

According to Prof. Kalaiyarasan’s complaint to the Director General of Police, the incident occurred on October 28, 2026:

• Early Morning Detention: Three plainclothes officers arrived at his Adyar residence at 5 a.m., confirmed his identity, and seized his mobile phone.
• Lack of Documentation: He reports that the officers did not present a formal FIR or complaint, nor did they allow him to notify his family before taking him away in a private vehicle.
• The Investigation: Prof. Kalaiyarasan was taken toward the T4 Sankar Nagar police station. During the transit, he reports that officers parked for 45 minutes to conduct phone calls before eventually showing him a screenshot of an Instagram account using his name and image to target a local legislator.
• Resolution: Upon being returned home, the professor provided a written statement denying any association with the account. Police later returned his phone.

Official Responses and Verification

Following the incident, Prof. Kalaiyarasan met with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The professor stated that the Chief Minister expressed regret regarding the handling of the matter.

Police officials have since clarified that their inquiry was triggered by the presence of the professor’s photograph alongside abusive content. They stated that after questioning the professor and examining his digital devices, they concluded he was not responsible for the post.

Implications for Academics

Prof. Kalaiyarasan has publicly urged authorities to investigate the protocols followed during his detention, citing concerns that such incidents may discourage open academic participation in public discourse. He maintains that his photograph was likely scraped from his professional profile on the Harvard University website, where he previously served as a research affiliate.

For verified details on official police procedures in Tamil Nadu, members of the public are encouraged to consult the official Tamil Nadu Police website or official state government gazettes.