1987 batch retired IPS officer R Sreelekha, the first female Director General of Police (DGP) of Kerala, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The announcement was made on Wednesday at her residence in Thiruvananthapuram, where she received her party membership from BJP state president K Surendran.
Retired in 2020 as the director general of Kerala Fire and Rescue Service, Sreelekha, is also a good writer and social media influencer.
In her address to the media, Sreelekha expressed that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and vision that drew her to the BJP.
“It took me only three weeks to make a decision. I was an impartial police officer for 33 years, but post-retirement, I’ve been able to observe the political landscape from a different perspective. I believe that my knowledge and experience can best serve the public through this platform,” she stated.
Present at the event were BJP state vice president C Sivankutty and Thiruvananthapuram district president VV Rajesh, who welcomed Sreelekha into the party fold.
Sreelekha’s distinguished career spans over three decades, during which she held numerous pivotal roles, including Superintendent of Police in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, and Thrissur, as well as Deputy Inspector General and Inspector General of Police.
She also served as the State Transport Commissioner and led various public sector organizations in Kerala before her retirement in 2020 at the age of 60.
Throughout her career, Sreelekha was no stranger to controversy. She faced allegations of corruption but was later cleared. Her YouTube series, Sasneham Sreelekha, also stirred debates, particularly when she spoke about the sexual harassment faced by women police officials, a claim that met with backlash from within the police community.
In 2022, Sreelekha drew attention for her comments regarding actor Dileep, accused in the 2017 assault case, asserting his innocence. At that time, she served as the DGP of prisons and claimed the police were acting under media pressure, prompting the prosecution to seek verification of her statements.
With her entry into the BJP, Sreelekha aims to leverage her extensive experience in public service to contribute to the party’s vision and mission in Kerala.
