Shweta K Sugathan Leads Historic All-Women Delhi Police March on Republic Day

In a groundbreaking moment for India’s Republic Day parade, Shweta K Sugathan, an Indian Police Services (IPS) officer and native of Thrissur, Kerala, will command the Delhi Police contingent comprised entirely of women officers.

As the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police-II, North District, Sugathan is set to make history on the 75th Republic Day.

This year, 194 women officers from Delhi Police will proudly march on the Kartavya Path, marking the first instance of an all-women contingent in the parade’s history.

Reports indicate that 80% of the participants hail from northeastern states, reflecting Delhi Police’s commitment to inclusivity by recruiting officers from these regions.

Sugathan, who led the mixed-gender Delhi Police contingent in the previous year’s Republic Day parade, made history as the first woman in 48 years to do so.

Following in the footsteps of Kiran Bedi, she became the first female IPS officer to command the Delhi Police contingent, leading 144 soldiers.

The Kartavya Path, previously known as Rajpath, witnessed the Delhi Police march for the first time in 1955.

Kiran Bedi took charge as the first woman commander in 1975, and nearly five decades later, Sugathan led the contingent, continuing the legacy. Since 1955, Delhi Police has earned the Best Marching Contingent award 40 times in the January 26th parade.

Shweta K Sugathan assumed the role of Additional DCP-II North District in October of the previous year, having previously served as the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Chanakyapuri.

A member of the 2019 AGMUT Cadre of the Indian Police Services, Sugathan holds a Bachelor’s in Tech degree, earned in 2015.

Having first visited Delhi on a college tour, Sugathan returned in 2019 to undertake the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, becoming an IPS Officer later that year.

Prior to her current position, she served as the ACP Chanakyapuri, showcasing a remarkable journey in her relatively short time in service.

Thus, Shweta K Sugathan’s leadership marks a historic moment as she commands the first all-women Delhi Police contingent on Republic Day, continuing the legacy of female commanders in the prestigious parade.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The shethepeolple