Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala DGP and BJP leader R. Sreelekha, a retired 1987-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, has been hospitalised due to health issues, with the BJP saying she will continue as a councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
BJP state general secretary S. Suresh visited Sreelekha at the hospital and said reports claiming that she had resigned from the Corporation were incorrect. In a Facebook post, he said she had been experiencing physical discomfort for the past few days and had expressed concern about whether her health would affect her ability to discharge her responsibilities as an elected representative.
BJP Says Sreelekha Will Continue as Councillor
Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V. V. Rajesh also said Sreelekha would continue as the councillor representing the Sasthamangalam ward. He said she had some health issues and had sought arrangements to address difficulties related to development activities in her division.
The development follows reports on October 3 that Sreelekha had submitted a resignation letter to the mayor. Multiple reports said the letter cited personal difficulties, while BJP leaders subsequently held discussions with her.
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Sreelekha had also reportedly informed members of her ward through a WhatsApp message about her decision. However, following discussions with senior BJP leaders, including state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, she decided not to proceed with the resignation.
Sreelekha is Kerala’s first woman IPS officer and the first woman officer from the state to attain the rank of DGP. She retired from the police service in 2020 and joined the BJP in 2024.
R Sreelekha’s Career Background
R. Sreelekha joined the Indian Police Service in 1987 and went on to hold several senior positions in the Kerala Police. She served as an Inspector General and Additional Director General of Police before becoming Kerala’s Director General of Police. She is recognised as the state’s first woman IPS officer and the first woman from Kerala to attain the rank of DGP.
During her career, Sreelekha handled assignments related to crime prevention, investigations, traffic management and women’s safety. She also served as the Managing Director of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), where she was involved in administrative and operational initiatives.
Sreelekha retired from the police service in 2020 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024, marking her entry into active politics.
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