Sheikh Darvesh Saheb

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Sheikh Darvesh Saheb
Sheikh Davesh Saheb IPS
Sheikh Davesh Saheb IPS
Shaikh Darvesh Saheb
State Police Chief of Kerala
In office
27 June 2023 (2023-06-27) – 30 November 2024 (2024-11-30)
Preceded byAnil Kant
Succeeded byRavada A. Chandrasekhar
Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Kerala
In office
2 August 2021 (2021-08-02) – 26 April 2022 (2022-04-26)
Personal details
Born
Hyderabad, Telengana[1]
NationalityIndian
Children2
Alma materSardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy
OccupationPolice officer
Police career
DepartmentKerala Police
Service years1990–2025
StatusRetired.
RankDirector General of Police
Batch1990
CadreIndian Police Service (Kerala Cadre)
Awards President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service President's Police Medal Ati Utkrishta Seva Pathak

Sheikh Darvesh Saheb is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who served as the State Police Chief and Director General of Police (DGP) of Kerala.[2] He assumed charge on 27 June 2023, succeeding Anil Kant, and completed his extended tenure in 2024.[3][4][5]

Background and education

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Darvesh Saheb is a native of Kadapa, district in Andhra Pardesh.[6][7] He holds a Masters in Agriculture, a Doctorate in Agronomy and an MBA in Finance.[8]

Personal life

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Darvesh Saheb is married to Sheikh Farida Fatima. The couple has a son and a daughter.[9]

Career

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Darvesh Saheb is 1990 Batch IPS officer. He started his career as an Assistant Superintedent of Police(ASP) of Nedumangad. He later worked as Superintendent of police in various districts including Wayanad, Kasaragod, Kannur, and Palakkad. Later he served as Superintendent of police in Railways and State Special Branch.He also served as Commandant in Malabar Special Police (MSP) and Kerala Armed Police Battalions (KAP) 2nd Battalion.[10]

Darvesh Sahib served as Governor's Aide-De-Camp (ADC) and was part of United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. He also served as Kochi City Police Commissioner in SP rank. He was Assistant Director and Deputy Director at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderbad.He also worked as Additional Excise Commissioner and Director of Kerala Police Academy.

Darvesh Saheb was appointed Director General of Police and State Police Chief of Kerala on 27 June 2023.[11] His appointment to post was followed the retirement of former state police chief Anil Kant.[12]

During his tenure as state police chief, the Kerala Police saw several notable initiatives. In early 2024, he oversaw the formation of the Cyber Division, bringing together scattered units like Cyber Patrol, Cyber Crime Investigation, and Cyber Dome under a single command. His tenure also witnessed the launch of “Operation D-Hunt”, one of the state’s most comprehensive crackdowns on illicit drug trafficking.[13][14] Darvesh Sahib saw cyber crimes, financial fraud, and narcotics as the major policing challenges Kerala faces in the coming years, has urged the force to continue prioritising these threats.[15]

He further emphasised upon citizen-centric policing, and directed officers to ensure courteous treatment of complainants. He also played role in streamlining police-station grievance handling.[16] His tenure also witnessed several administrative reforms, increased coordination with district police chiefs, and public-safety initiatives.[15]

In June 2024, the Government of Kerala decided to extend his tenure by one year.[17] He retired from service after completing the extended term on 26th April 2022.[15]

Awards

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Darvesh Saheb was awarded the President's Police Medal for meritorious services in 2016 and also received Indian Police Medal in 2018. He also recived United Nations Medal for peace keeping missions in Kosovo.[3][10]

Appointments

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  • Director General of Police & State Police Chief, Kerala – 30 June 2023.[3]
  • Director General of Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, Civil defence, and Homeguards.
  • Tenure extended by one year – June 2024.[18]
  • Director of Kerala Police Academy.[10]
  • Director General of Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services[16]
  • Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order[2]
  • Additional Director General of Police, Police Headquarters[3]
  • Additional Director General of Police, Vigilance [3]
  • Additional Director General of Police, Crime Branch[9]
  • Additional Director General of Police, North Zone (L&O)[12]
  • Additional Excise Commissioner, Kerala (IGP)[19]
  • City Police Commissioner of Kochi (SP)[20]
  • Superintendent of Police (SP) of the districts of Wayanad, Palakkad, Kasaragod and Kannur.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/06/27/who-sheikh-darvesh-sahib-kerala-new-police-chief.html
  2. ^ a b Service, Express News (2023-06-27). "Kerala gets a new police chief in Shaik Darvesh Saheb". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Who is Sheikh Darvesh Saheb, Kerala's new police chief?". Onmanorama. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  4. ^ Service, Express News (2023-06-27). "V Venu appointed as new Chief Secretary; Sheikh Darvesh Saheb is new Police Chief". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  5. ^ Jacob, Jeemon (2023-06-29). "Why Pinarayi Vijayan selected Shaik Darvesh Saheb as Kerala police chief". India Today. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  6. ^ "Dr Sheikh Darvesh Saheb is new DGP of Kerala". ETV Bharat. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  7. ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Dr V Venu is new chief secretary, Shaik Darvesh Saheb new DGP". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  8. ^ Service, Express News (2024-06-27). "Kerala government decides to extend tenure of Police Chief by a year". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  9. ^ a b "Who is Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, Kerala's new police chief?". Who is Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, Kerala's new police chief?. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  10. ^ a b c "Official Website of Kerala Police". keralapolice.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  11. ^ "V Venu appointed as Kerala Chief Secretary; Sheikh Darvesh new State Police Chief". India Today. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  12. ^ a b Service, Express News (2023-06-28). "V Venu to be chief secretary, Shaik Darvesh police chief". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  13. ^ George, Sarath Babu (2025-04-16). "Operation D-Hunt: Kerala Police tighten net on narcotics trade in Thiruvananthapuram". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  14. ^ "Operation D-Hunt: 146 arrested in Kerala, MDMA and cannabis seized". @mathrubhumi. 2025-09-13. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  15. ^ a b c "Sheikh Darvesh Saheb bids farewell as Kerala's State Police Chief". The South First. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Kerala DGP Darvesh Saheb steps down, urges police to treat complainants with dignity". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  17. ^ "Kerala government decides to extend tenure of police chief by a year". The New Indian Express. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  18. ^ "Kerala govt extends tenure of State Police Chief Darvesh Saheb". Mathrubhumi. 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  19. ^ Fb; Tw; Linkdin; Whatsapp; Us, GNFollow. "Sheikh Darvesh Sahib appointed as Director General of Police of Kerala". Asianet Newsable. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  20. ^ a b Fb; Tw; Linkdin; Whatsapp; Us, GNFollow. "Sheikh Darvesh Sahib appointed as Director General of Police of Kerala". Asianet Newsable. Retrieved 2025-12-06.