The ceremony was a low-key affair and was attended by close friends and family.

The ceremony was a low-key affair and was attended by close friends and family.

The ceremony was a low-key affair and was attended by close friends and family.

Kochi: Alappuzha District Collector Dr Renu Raj and Kerala Medical Services Corporation MD Dr Sriram Venkitaraman got married at an auditorium in Chottanikkara here on Thursday.

The ceremony was a low-key affair and was attended by close friends and family.

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The two IAS officers reportedly informed their colleagues about their decision via WhatsApp.

They both graduated in medicine before taking up civil services.

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Venkitaraman was a second rank holder in civil services examinations in 2012. He joined the service as the sub-collector of Devikulam.

Renu Raj was a second rank holder in 2014. She had also served as sub-collector in Devikulam and Thrissur.

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The two came into prominence through their intervention in evicting encroachers at Devikulam.

Dr Sriram Vekitaraman, Dr Renu Raj during the wedding ceremony at Chottanikkara

Renu Raj was married to a colleague and is now divorced.

Venkitaraman had been suspended from service in 2019 in a road accident case that resulted in the death of a journalist, KM Basheer. Later he was reinstated as joint secretary in the Health Department.