Police manning the Capital City have to be on high alert at all times as it is the power centre and the nerve centre of the country. VVIPs, from the President and Prime Minister to Foreign Ambassadors, all live here, and their security and the safety of the public lie with the police force. Work pressure is understandably high, and the officers have to be on their toes looking around for the first sign of any danger or mischief.
Under such extreme circumstances, there are many lady officers, too, working in senior positions. It is noteworthy that in a first, six out of 15 districts in Delhi are being headed by women DCPs.
To know more about these six officers, Indian Masterminds got in touch with them on the special occasion of International Women’s Day and managed to speak to four of them. Each of the four lady DCPs sent a special message for women!
SHINE LIKE A STAR: DCP USHA RANGRANI, NORTH WEST DELHI
IPS officer Usha Rangrani told Indian Masterminds that she sees hardly any difference between herself and her male counterparts. “Because we all get the same kind of training, and the selection process is also similar. But yes, being a female, I do believe that we have an extra element of sensitivity and empathy.”
She expressed her happiness at being able to serve the residents of her area and create confidence and trust for police in the minds of the law-abiding citizens.
“It gives me an opportunity to reach out to the weaker sections of society, especially the vulnerable women who feel a bit uncomfortable to tell their problems to the men folk in their circles. So being at the post of decision making, I am able to create some change in the society.”
She narrated an interesting story to us. When she joined as ACP Kalkaji, instead of going to the headquarters, she went to the Safdarjung Hospital on the very first day of her posting.
“A minor girl was violated. It was a very painful incident, not only for that girl but for me as well. I felt tears in my eyes seeing a minor girl violated, a girl who hardly understood life had to go through so much trauma.”
The officer and her team worked hard and found out that the accused was a serial rapist. Finally, after three months of investigation and hard work, they nabbed the accused from Bihar and put him behind bars.
“This is one of the investigations that touched my psyche a lot. On the special occasion of International Women’s Day, I would like to wish all the beautiful girls and women out there a very happy Women’s Day. I also want to say that you all are so special to me. Be bold, be brave, stay confident, stay alert and stay safe. Shine like a star!”
NEVER COMPROMISE WITH YOUR DREAMS: DCP SHWETA CHAUHAN, CENTRAL DELHI
Talking about her IPS dream fulfillment, Shweta Chauhan, who is DCP Central Delhi district, said, “It feels great! I had a dream… I realised it… I reached it! I am very lucky that I got support from different people. My family gave me such a good education that I could dream of becoming an IPS officer.”
Speaking for all women, she said: “Yes, I feel that we, women, are the chosen few. It can be because of our destiny or hard work. I should be able to set up an example, aspire and help people, because this is why I came here. I will be more than happy if I can change the lives of girls and women through my work and my little contribution.”
When Ms. Chauhan joined as DCP Central Delhi, there was a rape case of a 7-year-old girl. She took this case personally and looked up all CCTV cameras of the place where the incident took place.
“We checked around 700-800 cameras of that area. Finding an accused only with the help of a photograph and that too in a place like Delhi is quite difficult, but then we did everything that was possible. Finally, we cracked this case in around 36 hours. Because I took the case personally, I was satisfied enough, that yes, we finally were able to catch the criminal.”
Her Women’s Day message is: “I just want to tell the beautiful ladies and girls that be bold, be strong, dare to dream, work hard to fulfil your dream, and never compromise with your dreams. If we can do, then anybody else can!”
YOU ARE ENOUGH: DCP ESHA PANDEY, SOUTH EAST DELHI
“It’s a great responsibility to be a DCP of a district as big as South East and as challenging as South East. It’s been nearly six months since I have taken charge as the DCP and I feel quite satisfied to handle all the investigations and situations in a well-versed manner,” Ms. Pandey said.
Back in December, 2021, there was a double murder case in Jangpura. Two ladies were murdered in a house while three others were not even hurt. “It was a blind case, and it was very important for me to work it out.”
With the help of her team, she was able to locate more than 150 cameras that they looked at. “We were able to catch four murderers within 72 hours and we recovered around 1 crore rupees in Indian and foreign currency. It was a big investigation that was carried out in just 72 hours.”
Her message for all women is simple: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. You should understand that you, as a person, is enough!”
DON’T LET ANYONE PULL YOU DOWN: DCP GUGULOTH AMRUTHA, NEW DELHI
IPS officer Guguloth Amrutha is the DCP, New Delhi District. “I feel highly privileged that I get to make a change that I feel should happen and get to work towards it. On a daily basis, every incident that we look after, is one way or the other very special to me.”
Giving a message to all women on Women’s Day, DCP Amrutha said, “Believe in yourself and don’t let anyone or anything pull you down, be it society, people, your family, or any situation or circumstance around you.”
DCP BENITA MARY JAIKER, SOUTH DELHI
IPS officer Benita Mary Jaiker is a 2010-batch officer of AGMUT cadre. She is currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police, South District, Delhi. She was earlier posted as DCP, 7th Battalion, Delhi Armed Police. Before joining the service, Ms. Jaiker was a psychologist who quit her profession due to her deep attraction for khaki. She cracked UPSC in her first attempt with AIR 120.
DCP PRIYANKA KASHYAP, EAST DELHI
IPS officer Priyanka Kashyap is a 2009-batch AGMUT cadre officer. She was born and brought up in Chandigarh. Ms. Kashyap is currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police, East Delhi. Before joining as DCP East Delhi, she was posted as DCP – P&L, Delhi.
Indian Masterminds tried to get in touch with DCP Benita Mary Jaikar and DCP Priyanka Kashyap, too, but was not able to connect with them. Along with the lady DCPs of Delhi, we wish all women a very Happy International Women’s Day!
