In a remarkable and unconventional field exercise, Sumathi, the Commissioner of Police of Malkajgiri, stepped onto the streets alone past midnight to personally understand the safety challenges faced by women in public spaces.
Disguised as an ordinary woman and without any visible police protection, the senior IPS officer reportedly remained at a bus stop between 12.30am and 3.30am as part of a ground-level safety assessment.
What unfolded over the next three hours painted a concerning picture.
According to officials, nearly 40 men approached her during that period. Many were reportedly intoxicated, while some were suspected to be under the influence of ganja. Most of them were said to be young men, including students and working professionals, completely unaware that the woman they were speaking to was in fact a senior police officer.
The operation was carried out to help authorities better understand the real experiences faced by women on the streets, rather than relying solely on reports or complaints.
Following the incident, the individuals involved were identified by police. However, instead of immediately pursuing legal action, authorities reportedly called them in for counselling sessions and issued strict warnings regarding their behaviour towards women in public spaces.
The move has since drawn widespread praise from residents, particularly women, who viewed the initiative as a rare and proactive effort to address safety concerns directly from the ground.
This is not the first time Commissioner Sumathi has taken such an approach.
Nearly 25 years ago, during her early years in service as a Deputy Superintendent of Police near Kazipet railway station, she had reportedly conducted a similar operation to observe women’s safety issues firsthand.
A senior IPS officer from the Telangana cadre, Sumathi previously served as the Chief of the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB). Before taking charge as Commissioner of Police in Malkajgiri, she also played a significant role in facilitating the surrender of several top Maoist leaders, including Devuji and others.
