Former DGP R Sreelekha booked over controversial slogan against police force during BJP march

Thiruvananthapuram: R Sreelekha, the state’s first female IPS officer and former DGP, has been named as an accused in the Vattiyoorkavu police station march case. Sreelekha, who currently serves as a BJP councillor for Sasthamangalam, was added to the case following the controversy surrounding slogans raised during the event.

The march to the Vattiyoorkavu police station was led by female councillors to protest against police action taken against BJP workers. Sreelekha inaugurated the protest, during which the derogatory phrase "Poda Pulle Police" (a dismissive "get lost" directed at the force) was used against the officers, sparking huge backlash.

R Sreelekha has been listed as the fifth accused in the case, and the police have submitted a formal report to the court. Thiruvananthapuram Deputy Mayor Asha Nath is named as the sixth accused.

Following the controversy, Minister V Sivankutty and the Police Officers’ Association publicly condemned Sreelekha’s stance. While the police did not initially name her in the case, the report adding her as an accused was submitted to the court after the incident escalated. The FIR includes charges such as the obstruction of public pathways.