Kerala just got its woman Director General of Police (DGP). On Wednesday (Sept 20), R Sreelekha became the first woman DGP of the state, Indian Express reports. She was holding the post of ADGP (Prisons).
Other than Sreelekha, the state cabinet also promoted IPS officers – Tomin J Thachankary (DG-Fire and Rescue Services), Arun Kumar Sinha (under Centre’s deputation) and Sudesh Kumar (Armed Police Battalion) – to DGP rank. Now the state has a total of 12 DGPs.
Sreelekha is not just the first female DGP as in 1987, she also became the first female IPS officer from the Kerala cadre. Then in 1990, she also became the first female superintendent of police in the state.
While working with the CBI, she was part of the raid team and earned the nickname of ‘Raid Sreelekha’
Interestingly, Sreelekha did not always study or aspire to become a police officer. Instead, she started her career as a lecturer. Then she went on to work with the Reserve Bank. It was after working at the Reserve Bank that she cleared the civil services exams in 1986. Then she served the state as district chiefs of Thrissur, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta before moving on to the CBI.
ALSO READ: DIG D Roopa receives President’s Medal for exposing Jail corruption
While working with the CBI, she was part of the raid team and earned the nickname of ‘Raid Sreelekha’.
In 2005, she became the Inspector General and then moved to head the Kerala State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation Ltd. As ADGP, she looked after vigilance and anti-corruption bureau. The state also honoured her with the President’s Medal for Police in 2013.
Apart from being a top cop, she has authored several books in Malayalam. Of these, three are on crime investigation. Being a woman, she encourages filling up of top positions with women officers.
She was also a Transport Commissioner at one time. During that stint, she brought down fatality on roads and increased safety parameters.
Married to Dr Sethunath, she has a son named Gokul. She has also attended special training at Scotland Yard.
Picture credit- IAS Paper
Follow Us/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/iUYfaBbcMozaYLoGnoov.png)
