Anil Kant has been chosen as Kerala’s new police chief.

Anil Kant, the Road Safety Commissioner, has been nominated as the new Kerala Police Commissioner. The cabinet meeting on Wednesday made the decision to nominate the 1988-batch officer as the new chief. Sudeshkumar, Director of Vigilance, and B Sandhya, Director of Fire and Rescue Services, were also in the running, but Anil was chosen since he is a non-controversial officer. Anil is the first Dalit officer to be appointed as Kerala’s state police chief.

Anil Kant, a Delhi native, has a master’s degree in politics and began his official career as the Kalpetta Assistant Superintendent. He was also an Assistant Director in the Intelligence Bureau. Anil worked in the State Intelligence, Fire and Rescue, Law and Order, State Crime Records Bureau, Excise, and Vigilance wings.

Anil worked as the Vigilance Director before being named Road Safety Commissioner, and he is credited for spearheading various anti-corruption drives against government officials. Anil received the President’s Police Medal for meritorious service and the Badge of Honour in 2018 for successfully organising the 64th All India Police Games.

Anil has seven months left on his contract and will retire in January of next year. It remains to be seen whether the government continues his service for the entire two years, and if not, another officer will have to be chosen for the position.