Fact Box: India’s first woman DGP Kanchan Chaudhary

The first woman Director General of Police (DGP) Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya passed away following illness in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She was 1973 batch IPS officer, who had scripted history when she was appointed DGP of Uttarakhand in 2004.

About Kanchan Chaudhary

She was born in Himachal Pradesh, Chaudhary. She was the country’s second woman IPS officer after Kiran Bedi.  She had led Uttarakhand Police force as DGP from 2004 to 2007. During her 33-year-long career, she had handled some sensitive cases, including killing of national badminton champion Syed Modi and Reliance-Bombay Dyeing case. She also had served as Inspector General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

In 1997, she was awarded President’s police medal for distinguished service. She had made guest appearance in ‘Udaan’ TV serial aired on Doordarshan in late 1980s, which was based on her life, showing her struggles to become an IPS officer. After retirement, she had joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and unsuccessfully contested 2014 Lok Sabha polls in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

Udaan serial: It was one of the first shows on Indian television to deal with the subject of women empowerment. It was based on inspiring true life story of Kanchan Chaudhary and was aired on Doordarshan in late 80s. It was written and directed by Kanchan’s younger sister Kavita Chaudhary who also played lead protagonist.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2019