Agali, Palakkad: The hapless looks of a tribal youth named Madu had haunted people of Kerala for a while. His lynching had hit the headlines in world media early last year. Today, his sister Chandrika is a cop. She is among the 74 police constables who have been selected via special recruitment from the tribal zone. Their passing-out parade was held at the Thrissur Police Academy ground at 7:30am on Wednesday.

Chandrika and her mother Malli thank Lord Malleswaran for the achievement.

On February 28, 2018, when Madhu lay motionless at the mortuary of government hospital in Agali, Chandrika was waiting to attend the police interview at the local office of the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA).

Chandrika went through the selection process and training even while mourning her brother's death. As she adorns the police uniform on Wednesday, she says her late brother is her inspiration.

Fifteen people, including Chandrika, have been selected from Palakkad district, while eight are from Malappuram district. The rest of the people are from the adjoining Wayanad.

National kabbadi star and state football team member M Ashwati and C Eeshwari, who has participated in national judo championship, are part of the group. Two in the group are postgraduates, while another two are graduates. Of the 74 people selected, 24 are women.

DGP Loknath Behera took the salute. Relatives of the recruits were also present to witness the event.

Madhu, 27, was beaten to death by a group of people at Kadukumanna hamlet in Attappady, near Palakkad, on February 22, 2018, on the allegation of theft of provisions from shops in the locality. Following investigations, the Agali police booked 16 persons in connection with the murder.

Madhu, who was said to be mentally unsound, was living in a cave in the forest months before his lynching. Nearly 10-15 people went to the forest and thrashed him over suspicion that he stole food.