Kerala's first IPS woman now in political service; R Sreelekha's journey from Police officer to ward councillor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is now time for Kerala's first lady IPS officer, retired DGP R Sreelekha, to enter 'political service'. It was history and a record when she became an IPS officer in 1987 at the age of 26. Sreelekha is also the first woman DGP (Director General of Police) in Kerala. She won from the Sasthamangalam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Sreelekha became known as a good criminal investigator, including in the CBI. She excelled in all the positions she was given, including the Traffic Commissioner who drastically reduced accidents, the Intelligence Chief, and the first female head of prisons. Sreelekha retired as the Fire Force Chief.

Sreelekha, who lost her father at the age of 16, gained strength through painful life experiences. Sreelekha was a star in singing, drama, NCC and NSS at Cotton Hill School. She completed her graduation and a post-graduation degree in English from Thiruvananthapuram Women's College and an MBA from IGNOU. She first became a member of the teaching staff at Vidyadhiraja College. Then, she joined the civil service while working at the Reserve Bank.

Sreelekha became ASP in Kottayam in 1988 and the first woman SP of Thrissur in 1991. While in Vigilance, she received the President's Medal for Distinguished Service. She became MD of Rubber Marketing Federation and Roads and Bridges Corporation. She also shone in the CBI for four years. While serving as Additional DGP of Vigilance, Sreelekha uncovered a corruption worth crores in ConsumerFed. While serving as Transport Commissioner in 2014, she brought about a record reduction in road accident rates. Sreelekha was the nodal officer of the police's Nirbhaya project for women's safety. When the government did not give importance to the Nirbhaya project, she came out against it. Sreelekha openly said that if Nirbhaya had been implemented properly, there would not have been a 'Jisha case' in Kerala.

The former IPS officer is skilled in writing, singing and drama. Sreelekha has published more than ten books and poems, including three crime novels. She has received awards, including a fellowship from the British government. Sreelekha's husband is Dr. Sethunath, a pediatric surgeon. Their son is Gokulnath.