Nuzhat Hassan is a distinguished Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1991 batch from the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories) cadre. Throughout her career, she has held several high-ranking positions, culminating in her appointment as Director General of Police (DGP) for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and, later, as a Special Commissioner of Delhi Police.
Hassan’s career trajectory reflects a diverse range of responsibilities. Before her promotion to the DGP rank, she served in various capacities, including Director of the National Book Trust in 2005, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the Anti-Corruption Branch, and Additional DCP of the New Delhi District. She also served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in the Telecom wing in Arunachal Pradesh.
Her most prominent postings include:
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Director General of Police, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: During her tenure, she focused on community-oriented policing and administrative duties. Public records from this period show her actively participating in departmental events, such as inaugurating police facilities and administering oaths, to bolster the morale and infrastructure of the force. She held this position until 2018.
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Special Commissioner of Delhi Police: In Delhi, she held the significant portfolio of Special Commissioner of Police (Women’s Safety), where she was responsible for overseeing crucial initiatives related to the protection and welfare of women. She also served as Special Commissioner of Police (HR), managing the human resources of the Delhi Police. Her work in these roles underscores her commitment to both operational policing and administrative reforms aimed at improving the force from within.
Nuzhat Hassan’s contributions are marked by her dual professional and creative pursuits. Her dedication to public service was officially recognised with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in January 2019. This award is one of the highest honours for an IPS officer and is a testament to her long and unblemished service record.
Beyond her policing career, Hassan is a notable author. She is known for her collection of short stories titled “The Marginals,” published by the National Book Trust. The book delves into the lives of marginalised and often-ignored members of society, including an executioner, a eunuch, a sex worker, a leper, and a terrorist. Her decision to write this book was motivated by a desire to humanise these individuals and provide a voice to those living on the fringes of society. The book received acclaim for its compassionate and nuanced portrayal of its subjects.
Born to a family with a strong academic background, Nuzhat Hassan pursued her education with distinction. She holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Chemistry from the prestigious St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. She further enhanced her skills with a post-graduate degree in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia, showcasing her interest in broader societal issues and effective communication, a skill that is also reflected in her writing.
She is married to Taj Hassan, also an IPS officer of the 1987 batch. The couple’s shared profession and life journey highlight a partnership rooted in public service. In an interview, she credited her husband with encouraging her to publish her writing, providing the necessary motivation to transform her passion into a tangible contribution.