[16] Raghavan's family moved to Mylapore, in Madras, Tamil Nadu when he was aged seven.

Raghavan was the director-general of Tamil Nadu's State Vigilance Directorate for six years from 1993 to 1999, overseeing the corruption cases against AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa.

Raghavan became the 19th CBI director in 1999, from a panel comprising Andhra Pradesh police chief H.J.

[23] Raghavan later had the SIT constituted by Supreme Court of India to probe 10 riot cases of 2002.

[34][35] He was appointed as India's High commissioner[Ambassador] to cyprus on 30/8/2017[36] Raghavan is recipient of Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service.