Kochi: Kerala-based IPS officer Merin Joseph went viral on Facebook after a post claimed she took charge as the new ACP in Kochi. Many users complimented her for her good looks and suggested they didn’t mind getting arrested by her. Some even went on to suggest they could start thieving to get arrested by her.

A civic issues-related Facebook page posted a picture welcoming her as the new Kochi ACP. Though the news was fake, Facebookians went on a liking spree and her photo attracted 10,000 ‘likes’ in a day and was shared many times. The photo also went viral on WhatsApp.

One guy Nikkie openly admitted that he wants to start robbing. While one conceded, “Wowww!! Really happy to see a young n gorgeous police officer ruling Kochi. Wish ya all the very best and good luck!” (sic), another followed right up with: “looks like a celebrity” (sic). A photoshopped image of actor Mohanlal asking to arrest him also went viral.

Several others complimented her and wished her best of luck in her career.

Merin Joseph, an IPS trainee, underwent training in Kochi for two weeks. “She completed the training in Kochi and went back,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Muhammed Rafique. Recently, she was selected to lead an Indian delegation to the ‘Y20’ Australia summit.

Following the rumours, she gave a clarification post. "An urgent clarification- i am NOT the new ACP of Kochi. Still under training in NPA Hyderabad. Will update when I get my first charge in January next year. Kindly refrain from believing baseless rumours floating in social media. Thanks."

Merin passed the civil services examination in 2012 in her first attempt. She completed her BA Hons from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi. At present there are two Malayali IPS offers in Kerala cadre-- R. Sreelekha and B. Sandhya.