Odisha Crime Branch IG Shefeen Ahamed Dies at 50 During Cancer Treatment in Kerala

Shefeen Ahamed K, Inspector General of Police in Odisha’s CID Crime Branch and Cybercrime wing, died on Monday, August 31, 2026, while undergoing treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 50.

A 2003-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, Ahamed belonged to Oachira in Kerala’s Kollam district and was the son of senior CITU leader K.O. Habeeb. One report said he passed away at 7:15 a.m. His mortal remains were kept at his residence in Vattiyoorkavu before being taken to his native place in Kollam on Tuesday, September 1, for the last rites.

Odisha Police said Ahamed had been diagnosed with cancer in 2025 and had been receiving treatment for a prolonged period. Some reports described his illness as a roughly two-year battle, while others said he had initially responded to treatment before his condition worsened again in the months before his death. He had also received specialised care in Hyderabad before being admitted to the hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

A career spanning policing, technology and sensitive assignments

Ahamed joined the Indian Police Service on September 1, 2003, after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination. He was a civil engineering graduate and later earned a Master’s degree in Police Leadership and Management from Osmania University.

He had been leading Odisha’s CID Crime Branch, including its cybercrime responsibilities, since July 10, 2023. In official and colleague tributes, he was especially remembered for helping strengthen cybercrime investigation in the state and for representing the police force at forums focused on technology and future crime. He had also received the Governor’s Medal in 2023.

During his Odisha service, Ahamed held a range of field, district and headquarters postings. His assignments included SDPO Gunupur, where he earned an early reputation for anti-Naxal work; Superintendent of Police in Deogarh, Jharsuguda and Gajapati; and roles in the Vigilance Directorate. He later served as DIG (Headquarters), Cuttack; DIG, South Western Range, Koraput; DIG (Technical); IGP (Technical); IGP (Fire Services and Home Guards); and IGP, Human Rights Protection Cell.

Colleagues also credited him with work on improving road connectivity into Swabhiman Anchal, an area considered sensitive because of access and security challenges. That effort, they said, helped improve both movement and policing in the region.

Years in Kerala on deputation

Before returning to Odisha service, Ahamed spent about five years on inter-cadre deputation in Kerala, his home state. There he served as Superintendent of Police (Rural), Thiruvananthapuram; District Police Chief, Thiruvananthapuram; DIG, Armed Police Battalion; and in headquarters and computer-related roles.

Kerala political leaders later recalled his service in the state, including contributions linked to counter-Naxal preparedness and modern policing. Several of the tributes focused on the fact that he had remained closely associated with Thiruvananthapuram even after moving back to Odisha.

Tributes from Odisha and Kerala

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he was “deeply saddened by the untimely passing” of the officer and added that his dedicated service to the state and Odisha Police would always be remembered. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also paid tribute.

Odisha Police described Ahamed as a distinguished 2003-batch officer who served with dedication, integrity and professionalism, noting that his work in cybercrime investigation would be remembered with respect. A condolence meeting was held at Police Bhawan in Bhubaneswar under DGP Vinaytosh Mishra. Floral tributes were offered at Ahamed’s portrait, followed by a silent prayer. The DGP described him as a competent and hardworking officer whose death was an irreparable loss to the department and to society. The IPS Association also condoled his death.

In Kerala, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan described Ahamed as an officer with an excellent service record and praised his professional commitment during his tenure in the state. Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan recalled his commendable service in Kerala, while Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala spoke of a personal association from the time Ahamed headed Thiruvananthapuram Rural Police and also remembered his father, K.O. Habeeb.

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor called him a “thoughtful, unfailingly courteous officer with a fine mind, who wore his competence lightly.” Tharoor said he knew Ahamed from the officer’s deputation as rural SP of Thiruvananthapuram, said he “never quite left Thiruvananthapuram behind,” and added that dying so young, and in the city he loved, made the loss harder to bear.

Ahamed’s death leaves Odisha Police without one of its senior officers in investigative and cybercrime leadership, at a time when those areas have become central to the force’s work.