THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Will Dr B Sandhya be the first woman to become the Chief of Kerala Police? If the next cabinet meeting decides in favor of Sandhya, it will be history.
Apart from Sandhya, who is currently the Chief of Fire Force, Vigilance Director Sudhesh Kumar and Road Safety Commissioner Anil Kant are also being considered for the post. Sandhya, who is the ADGP, will get the rank of DGP with the retirement of Loknath Behera on the 30th. R Sreelekha is the only woman to hold the rank of DGP before this.
The first police appointment made by the first Pinarayi government was to make Sandhya the Southern ADGP. Sandhya showed her ability by arresting the accused in the Jisha case which caused a stir. Sandhya, who was later transferred, was not given law and order duties. For a long time, Sandhya undertook police's women safety programs. A woman is more likely to be considered to the police chief post in the event of serious questions about women's safety.
Sudhesh Kumar topped the shortlist handed over to the UPSC government. He may hold the important post of Director of Vigilance and even take the chair of the Chief of Police. Police organizations have come to the fore against Sudesh for allegedly enslaving camp followers and his daughter beating a police driver.
Anil Kant has the support of top officials. The previous government had appointed him as the Chief of Vigilance, ADGP in charge of law and order, Chief of Fire Force and Jail, but he did not perform well and was replaced several times. The suspension of Anil Kant on serious charges while he was an ASP is also a setback for him.
The term is thus
Sudhesh's term till October 2022. Sandhya's term runs until May 2023. Anilkanth has term till next January.
The Supreme Court order not to replace appointments for two years does not apply to retirees. Or else two years term should be there in the appointment order.
Two steps