Shefeen Ahamed K, Inspector General of Police (CID Crime Branch and Cybercrime), Odisha, 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 was a native of Oachira in Kollam district, Kerala, and 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 and were to be taken to his native place in Kollam on Tuesday, September 1, for the last rites.
Odisha Police said he had been diagnosed with cancer in 2025 and had been under treatment for a prolonged period. Some reports described a roughly two-year battle; others said he 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 in Thiruvananthapuram.
Career and last posting
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 completed a Master’s degree in Police Leadership and Management at Osmania University.
He had headed Odisha’s CID Crime Branch (and related cybercrime work) since July 10, 2023. Odisha Police and colleagues particularly remembered his role in strengthening cybercrime investigation and in representing the force at technology and future-crime forums. He had earlier received the Governor’s Medal (2023).
His Odisha postings included SDPO Gunupur, where he built an early reputation in anti-Naxal work; Superintendent of Police in Deogarh, Jharsuguda and Gajapati; assignments in the Vigilance Directorate; 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 road connectivity into Swabhiman Anchal, which improved access and security in a sensitive area.
Service in Kerala
Ahamed spent about five years on inter-cadre deputation in his home state. He served as Superintendent of Police (Rural), Thiruvananthapuram; District Police Chief, Thiruvananthapuram; DIG, Armed Police Battalion; and in headquarters and computer-related roles. Kerala leaders later recalled his work there, including contributions linked to counter-Naxal preparedness and modern policing.
Condolences
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote that he was “deeply saddened by the untimely passing” of the officer and that his dedicated service to the State and Odisha Police would always be remembered. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo issued a similar tribute.
Odisha Police called him a distinguished 2003-batch officer who served with dedication, integrity and professionalism, and said 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, hardworking officer whose death was an irreparable loss to the department and society. The IPS Association also condoled the 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. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala spoke of a personal association from the time Ahamed headed Thiruvananthapuram Rural Police and remembered Ahamed’s 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, noted that 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 a gap in Odisha Police’s senior investigative and cybercrime leadership.
