Nashik’s Lady Singham

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them.

Part - 6

Name: Sharada Raut | Where: Nashik, Maharashtra

A simple, studious and honest personality that very obviously displays sincerity and genuine passion for work, and that is of Sharada Raut who is nicknamed "Lady Singham" and has a pool of experiences that would inspire every woman in India. Hailing from a small village in Nashik district of Maharashtra, as a child, Sharada wished to either choose medicine or civil services as her profession because she believed that after any emergency, a person either runs to a doctor or a police personnel. Eventually Sharada chose to graduate in Commerce and began her journey to become an IPS officer. She achieved All India Rank 283 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2005, which led to her entry into the Indian Police Service (IPS). Sharada believes that perseverance and will to leave no stone unturned to achieve a dream is a most crucial quality any student needs to be able to taste success in future.

Sharada who has recently been appointed the Special Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Maharashtra's newly formed Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), previously served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Nagpur and gained recognition for her work in Palghar and Mumbai. Before this appointment, she had returned to Maharashtra after a stint on central deputation with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She is considered to be an expert in bank fraud investigation cases. In June 2021, while at the CBI, she led a team to Dominica to help extradite fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi. She has achieved recognition for her work in investigating high-profile cases, including the Punjab National Bank fraud involving Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi.

From Nashik to Nagpur, Nandurbar, Kolhapur and Mumbai- Sharada’s journey is a substantial one. Be it her contribution to tightening the noose around dance bars in Mira Road and Mumbai, or her contribution to reduce crime rate in Palghar, Sharada’s brave and courageous discharge of duty has been recognised and appreciated time and again.

Not one to believe that women have to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling, Sharda believes in gender equality in the real sense of the term. In an interview with India Unbound published in 2015, Sharda had said, “Being a lady officer, I never faced any different treatment, or discrimination and I never took disadvantage of being a lady officer to get any leaves or such type of privileges. In our field, all are the same. However, it is very important to take care of all the lady officers in your team. We ensure that all basic facilities are provided to all lady officers, and also to avoid any gender discrimination at grass root level.”

She was very much on the field like a lioness even during her pregnancy and did not avail any maternity leave. Sharda says, “those who work hard, can’t sit at home peacefully.” Sharda believes that domestic responsibilities are equally important, however a woman like her who is lucky enough to have strong support from the family , should join police forces immediately.