India

Siddharth Kaushal Quits IPS, Says ‘Personal Decision’ Amid Andhra’s Bureaucratic Unrest

Young IPS officer’s sudden exit triggers buzz as Andhra Pradesh sees rising tension between bureaucracy and political leadership

Vijayawada, July 2: It’s not every day that a young, sharp, and widely-respected IPS officer like Siddharth Kaushal suddenly decides to call it quits. Especially not in a state like Andhra Pradesh, where top cops are more often shuffled than self-retired. But on Tuesday, that’s exactly what happened — Kaushal, a 2012-batch officer who had once been the toast of the force, submitted his voluntary resignation, effective immediately.

No warning signs, no pending controversies. Just a short, formal note saying he’s stepping down. He says it’s “personal,” but in these parts, nothing’s ever just that simple.

A Career That Mattered, A Goodbye That Raises Eyebrows

Locals in Krishna district still remember him for the way he handled law and order during tense political stretches — especially during sensitive protests and rural clashes. And in Visakhapatnam Rural, old-timers recall how Kaushal made genuine attempts to connect with people beyond protocol: direct field inspections, night patrols, surprise visits to police stations. Not the kind of officer who liked air-conditioned offices.

So when someone like that resigns, out of the blue, folks start asking questions. Officially, Kaushal says he’s stepping away for “family priorities” and “long-term personal goals.” Fair enough. But there’s no denying that this comes against the backdrop of growing discomfort among officers in Andhra.

Denies Pressure, But Rumours Say Otherwise

To be fair to him, Kaushal hasn’t minced words. In his official note, he made it clear that his exit was “entirely voluntary” and that he wasn’t pushed or harassed. Called the rumours “baseless.” But here’s the thing — he said it before anyone really asked.

In street speak, when someone keeps saying “I wasn’t forced,” it often means the whispers have already begun.

And the whispers have been around for a while now — ever since the YSRCP government began tightening the screws on officers seen as close to the previous TDP administration. Delayed transfers, backroom sidelining, suspension threats — nothing open, but everyone in the system feels it.

According to officers we spoke to off record, there’s been a noticeable shift in how senior postings are decided these days. “It’s no longer about merit or seniority,” said one officer posted in coastal Andhra. “It’s about who’s seen as loyal.”

Kaushal, for the record, served as SP in Krishna and later CP of Vijayawada, two key positions during politically charged times. He kept a low profile, but his work didn’t go unnoticed. And that’s perhaps what made his resignation sting more.

Next Stop: Delhi Corporate Circuit?

Word on the street is that he might be moving to Delhi, possibly into a cushy corporate role — maybe a security consultancy, maybe a policy outfit. It’s not confirmed, but it tracks with a growing trend. Many mid-career IAS and IPS officers, especially the ambitious ones, are quietly slipping into private roles. Better pay, less politics.

A former batchmate who didn’t want to be named told us: “Siddharth always had an eye on strategic thinking. He’s not the type to just enforce orders; he plans, he calculates. He’ll do well wherever he goes.”

Still, for many junior officers and local staff, this came as a jolt. “He was the kind who treated constables with respect,” said a traffic inspector from Guntur. “Not many officers do that these days.”

A State of Exit? Or Just a Personal Call?

Let’s not ignore the larger picture. Kaushal isn’t the first, and likely won’t be the last. In the past year alone, at least four IPS officers in Andhra have either resigned, gone on long leave, or moved to central postings. All said it was for “personal reasons.” But the timing, the silence, the vague language — it all adds up.

What’s brewing underneath is a deeper unease. Officers don’t want to talk openly, but they’re watching each other. Some are planning exits quietly, others are just waiting for transfers that never come.

For now, Kaushal has signed off with grace. “Thank you, Andhra Pradesh,” he wrote in his farewell note. A clean exit on the surface — no bitterness, no blame. But anyone who’s spent time in these lanes knows: when people leave without drama, it often means the drama was too much to bear in silence.


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Author Profile
Juneja

Ravi Juneja is a student journalist currently pursuing his degree from Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication. With a passion for factual reporting and public interest stories, he covers a wide spectrum of news at Hindustan Herald, including politics, health, technology, entertainment, and global affairs. Ravi is committed to delivering balanced, research-backed journalism with a strong sense of responsibility and independence.

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