New Delhi: The Union home ministry on Tuesday sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government on the arrest of a probationary IPS officer who was caught cheating at the civil services (main) examination in Chennai on Monday.

Safeer Karim, who had taken the test with the aim of shifting to the IAS, was caught using a Bluetooth device over which his wife was dictating answers.

"It is a very serious case involving an IPS officer who is on probation. We have sought a detailed report from the state government before proceedings can be initiated against him," a ministry official said.

The home ministry is the cadre-controlling authority of the IPS.

A 2014-batch Tamil Nadu-cadre officer, Karim was posted as assistant superintendent of police in Tirunelveli district.

"He may face disciplinary action, including dismissal from service," the official said.

Karim was arrested and charged under IPC Section 420 (cheating). His wife Joyce Joy, a visiting faculty at an IAS coaching centre, had been dictating the answers from Hyderabad, the police said.