Purnia: Sweety Sahrawat, a 2019-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, officially took charge as Superintendent of Police (SP) of Purnia district on Tuesday, succeeding outgoing SP Kartikeya Sharma. The transition of authority was marked with a guard of honour, followed by a formal handover ceremony.
Addressing the media shortly after assuming office, Sweety stated that crime control and strengthening public safety would be her foremost priorities. “Purnia is a significant and historically important district with unique challenges,” she said. “My goal is to ensure accessible, effective, and citizen-sensitive policing.” She also highlighted the urgency of cracking down on narcotics, particularly smack smuggling, which she identified as a growing concern in the region. “Strict action will be taken against organised crime and drug networks,” Sweety added.
Her predecessor, Kartikeya Sharma, has been transferred to Patna where he will serve as the new Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). Locals expressed hope that Sweety’s appointment would bring renewed energy to law enforcement efforts in the district. Sweety’s track record suggests she is no stranger to high-pressure assignments. As City SP in Aurangabad during her first posting, she gained attention for her firm handling of law-and-order situations. She was involved in a high-profile disagreement with then DGP Nikhil Kumar over police operations — an episode that drew public and media interest.
Her approach was again tested during protests by BPSC aspirants in Patna, where the use of lathicharge and water cannons to disperse demonstrators drew scrutiny. During the operation, she was also seen engaging in a heated exchange with political strategist Prashant Kishor but managed to stabilise the situation without further escalation. In Purnia, Sweety is expected to face multiple challenges, including tackling organised crime, addressing public safety concerns, and ensuring stronger community engagement. But her assertive reputation and previous field experience have raised expectations that she will bring a proactive and disciplined approach to policing in the region.
