Thiruvananthapuram: R Sreelekha, Kerala’s first woman IPS officer from the 1987 batch, has won the Sasthamangalam ward in the 2025 Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections. Contesting on a BJP ticket, Sreelekha defeated CPI-M candidate Amrita R by 708 votes, signaling a potential saffron wave in the state capital.
Her victory has positioned her as a possible contender for the mayoral post in Thiruvananthapuram, and potentially, a prominent face in Kerala BJP politics.
R Sreelekha: From Trailblazing IPS Officer to Politician
Sreelekha began her professional journey as a lecturer at Shree Vidyadhiraja College and later worked as a Grade B Officer at RBI, Mumbai. In 1987, at the age of 26, she made history as Kerala’s first woman IPS officer. Over her 33-year policing career, she held key positions including –
- District Superintendent of Police: Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur
- Central Bureau of Investigation: SP in Kerala, DIG in New Delhi
- ADGP: Vigilance, Armed Police Battalions, Police Home Guards, Gender Justice
- Director General of Kerala Prisons & Correctional Services
- Director General, Kerala Fire and Rescue Services (first woman in independent charge)
Known for her efficiency and integrity, she earned the nickname “Raid Sreelekha” for her high-profile investigations during her tenure in the CBI. She was instrumental in implementing road safety reforms, e-governance initiatives, and conducting technology-driven public service projects in Kerala.
Achievements and Awards
Throughout her illustrious career, Sreelekha received multiple accolades:
- President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2004)
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2013)
- Kerala Government Meritorious Service Award (2007) for high-profile investigations
Chevening Fellowship, UK (2015) – training at King’s College, Sciences Po Paris, Oxford, Edinburgh, and UN Geneva
Indian Overseas Award for Public Service (2006)
Her tenure also included pioneering initiatives like Asia’s first Road Safety Hackathon, completion of the Crime & Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), and introduction of mental health counseling for police officers.
Political Journey
After retiring from the IPS in 2020, Sreelekha joined the BJP and became the state vice-president. Her win in Sasthamangalam adds to a string of positive signals for the party in Kerala, complementing its gains in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where BJP leader Suresh Gopi won a parliamentary seat and became a Minister of State in the Modi government.
If elected mayor, Sreelekha could emerge as a future contender for Kerala’s Chief Minister position, highlighting her growing influence in South Indian politics.
Early Life and Education
- Born: 25 December 1960, Thiruvananthapuram
- Father: Prof. N. Velayudhan Nair, WWII veteran
- Education: Bachelor’s in English Literature (Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram), Master’s in English (University of Kerala), MBA in HR (IGNOU)
Special Training: London Business School, Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), Chevening Fellowship
Sreelekha has also contributed to literature and media through her YouTube channel “Sasneham Sreelekha” and has authored nine books including novels, children’s literature, and legal awareness guides.
Kerala Local Body Polls 2025 Context
Kerala held elections across –
- 17,337 wards under 941 grama panchayats
- 3,240 wards across 87 municipalities
- 421 wards in six municipal corporations
The polls were conducted in two phases across all 14 districts –
- Phase 1 (Dec 9): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam
- Phase 2 (Dec 11): Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod
Sreelekha’s win in Sasthamangalam reflects a growing acceptance of BJP in urban centers of Kerala.
Read also: President Issues Directive to Justice Nisha Banu to Join Kerala High Court by December 20
