Overview

• Ravada A. Chandrasekhar officially assumed office as Kerala’s 41st state police chief on July 1, succeeding Shaik Darvesh Saheb.
• He unveiled a special strategy to confront escalating drug abuse, including launching awareness programmes in schools and colleges.
• Chandrasekhar also outlined plans to strengthen cybersecurity measures against cybercrime and improve responsiveness to public grievances.
• His selection via a UPSC shortlist of three senior IPS officers adheres to Supreme Court mandates securing a minimum two-year tenure.
• The appointment reignited scrutiny over his involvement in the 1994 Koothuparamba firing, but CPI(M) leaders and the Kerala High Court’s prior acquittal underpin the merit-based choice.