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{{Infobox officeholder {{Infobox officeholder
| name = Soumen Mitra | name = Soumen Mitra
| caption = Mitra as ], 2021
| office = 38th ] | office = 38th ]
| term_start = 8 February 2021
| term_start = 8 February 2021<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/soumen-mitra-takes-charge-as-new-calcutta-police-commissioner/cid/1806066 | title=Soumen Mitra takes charge as new Calcutta police commissioner | access-date=9 February 2021 | archive-date=8 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208143615/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/soumen-mitra-takes-charge-as-new-calcutta-police-commissioner/cid/1806066 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| term_end = 31 December 2021 | term_end = 31 December 2021
| predecessor = ], IPS | predecessor = ]
| successor = Vineet Kumar Goyal | successor = Vineet Kumar Goyal
| term_start1 = 13 April 2016 | term_start1 = 13 April 2016
| term_end1 = 21 May 2016 | term_end1 = 21 May 2016
| predecessor1 = Rajeev Kumar, IPS | predecessor1 = Rajeev Kumar
| successor1 = Rajeev Kumar, IPS | successor1 = Rajeev Kumar
| alma_mater = *] | alma_mater = {{ubl|]|]|]}}
| education = {{hlist|]|]|]}}
*]
| birth_place =
*]
| education = ], ], ] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|12|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], ], India
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|12|16|df=yes}}
| nationality = ]| | nationality = ]|
| module = {{Infobox police officer | module = {{Infobox police officer
Line 27: Line 24:
| department = ] | department = ]
] ]
| years = 1988–2021
| rank = ] {{small|]}}
| status = ''Retired''
| years = 1988 - present
| status = ''Active''
| badge=19881066<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dtf.in/wp-content/files/Indian_Police_Service_IPS_-_Civil_List_2014.htm|title=IPS CIVIL LIST 2014|date=2014|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=15 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015141805/http://dtf.in/wp-content/files/Indian_Police_Service_IPS_-_Civil_List_2014.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | badge=19881066<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dtf.in/wp-content/files/Indian_Police_Service_IPS_-_Civil_List_2014.htm|title=IPS CIVIL LIST 2014|date=2014|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=15 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015141805/http://dtf.in/wp-content/files/Indian_Police_Service_IPS_-_Civil_List_2014.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| awards =] ] (for Distinguished Service) <br>] Police Medal for Meritorious Service <br>] 50th Anniversary Independence Medal | awards =] ] (for Distinguished Service) <br>] Police Medal for Meritorious Service <br>] 50th Anniversary Independence Medal
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}} }}


'''Soumen Mitra''' (born 16 December 1961) is an Indian police officer, who served as the 38th ]. Mitra started his police career as a probation officer in Darjeeling as part of the 1988 batch of police officers in the ]. Throughout his career he served as a police superintendent in Barrackpore, Howrah, and Murshidabad, and deputy commissioner of the detective department in Kolkata, where he led investigations into the ] and the 2001 ]. '''Soumen Mitra''' (born 16 December 1961) is an Indian police Service officer of the 1988 batch<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soumen Mitra News Photo Soumen Mitra |url=https://timescontent.timesofindia.com/photo/news/Soumen-Mitra/476838 |website=timesofindia.com}}</ref> and was allotted the ] cadre<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=3 August 2011 |title=No.I-21023/04/2011-IPS-IV - Government of India - Ministry of Home Affairs |url=https://ips.gov.in/pdfs/JS-Empnl-040811.pdf |website=ips.gov.in}}</ref>. He was the 38th ]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=7 Feb 2021 |title=Soumen Mitra becomes new Kolkata Police Commissioner |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/soumen-mitra-becomes-new-kolkata-police-commissioner-431223}}</ref>. Mitra started his police career as a probationary officer in ]. After his probationary period , Mitra served as ASP (Operations) ], SDPO ] with additional charge as ADC to the Governor of West Bengal, Addl. SP ], Addl. SP ], Dy Commissioner of Police (Special), Detective Department ], SP ], SC Nort Division, ], SP ], Dy Commissioner of Police, Detective Department ], Jt CP (Organisation) ], DIG CID, DIG Presidency Range, IGP CID, Addl. CP ] with additional charge as MD Kolkata Police Housing & Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd., Spl CP ], ADG CID, ], ADG Training Branch with additional charge as Advisor, WBSEDCL & Director WBPH&IDCL. and again ]. AS DC DD he led investigations into the ] by terrorists and in the 2001 ''] scam''.


Mitra served as Police Commissioner of Kolkata twice, first appointed by the ] in 2016 during the ] and again in 2021. His tenure during the 2016 elections is credited with facilitating a violence-free election. He was reappointed in 2021 by the West Bengal Government during that year's legislative assembly elections. Mitra continued in this role until his retirement in December 2021, receiving the Police Medal for outstanding service in August 2021. He is also known for his interest in heritage conservation, having helped restore several historical structures in Kolkata. Mitra served as ] twice, first appointed by the ] in 2016 during the ] and secondly appointed by the ]<nowiki/>l in 2021. He received huge accolades from the media and common people for conducting  free & fair elections in Kolkata without any violence during his tenures as CP in the two Assembly Elections of 2016 and 2021<ref>"Arakh". '']'' (in Bengali). ]: page. 14-16. 17 May 2016</ref>. Mitra retired on 31 December 2021 as CP Kolkata. Post superannuation, ] appointed him as Director, Training of WBP for 2 years<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Bengal: Soumen Mitra appointed as Officer on Special Duty and Director, Training in rank of DGP |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/west-bengal-soumen-mitra-appointed-as-officer-on-special-duty-and-director-training-in-rank-of-dgp20220101035723/}}</ref>. He is the recipient of the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service<ref>{{Cite web |title=PRESIDENT'S POLICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/ppm-rd13.pdf}}</ref>, the Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Outstanding Service<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kolkata top cop Soumen Mitra to receive CM’s medal for outstanding service |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-top-cop-among-10-to-receive-cms-medal-for-outstanding-service-7448103/}}</ref> and the Anirudh Bhargava INTACH Environmental Award<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Environmental award for Kolkata CP Soumen Mitra |url=https://www.getbengal.com/details/environmental-award-for-kolkata-cp-soumen-mitra}}</ref>. He is also known for his keen interest in heritage conservation, having helped restore several historical structures of Kolkata Police and  ].


== Early life and career == == Early life and career ==
Born in 1961 in Kolkata, Mitra was educated at ], ] and ], completing his ], ] and ]. A history graduate, he qualified for the Civil Services examinations and was inducted into the ], belonging to the 1988-batch in the West Bengal cadre. Initially, he started out as a ] in ] before being appointed the assistant commissioner of police operations in Darjeeling. Subsequently, Mitra went on to hold other roles, acting as a police superintendent under the West Bengal Police in ], ] and ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=MP |first=Team |date=2021-02-07 |title=Soumen Mitra becomes new Kolkata Police Commissioner |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/soumen-mitra-becomes-new-kolkata-police-commissioner-431223 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130081040/http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/soumen-mitra-becomes-new-kolkata-police-commissioner-431223 |url-status=live }}</ref> During this time, he developed a reputation for starting welfare and development projects in areas where he was posted. He is credited to have started the ] in ], a area known for it's communal violence which helped stabilize the atmosphere.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chaudhuri |first=Monalisa |date=7 February 2021 |title=Soumen Mitra returns as city police chief, replaces Anuj Sharma |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/calcutta/mitra-returns-as-city-police-chief-replaces-anuj-sharma/cid/1805932 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=]}}</ref> Born in 1961, Mitra was educated at ], ] and ], completing his ], ] and ]. A history graduate, he qualified for the Civil Services examinations and was inducted into the ], belonging to the 1988-batch in the ] cadre<ref name=":3" />. Initially, he started out as a ] in ] before being appointed the Assistant Superintendent of Police (Operations) in ]. Subsequently, Mitra held the posts of SDPO ], Addl. SP ], Addl. SP ], DC DD (Special), DC North, SP ], DC DD ], Jt CP (Organisation) ], DIG CID, DIG Presidency Range, IG CID, Addl. CP ], Spl CP ], ADG CID, ], ] ADG Training and again ] ]<ref name=":0" />. ], ] and ]. During this time, he developed a reputation for starting welfare and development projects in areas where he was posted. He is credited to have started the Chandradeep Mela, an annual social event in ], an area known for its criminal activities and ], which helped stabilize the atmosphere.


Mitra was transferred to the ] to serve as a deputy commissioner for the detective department. He helped lead the police team in investigating the ] in 2002<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-04 |title=USIS attack: Police still puzzled about motive for attack on American Center in Kolkata |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20020204-usis-attack-police-still-puzzled-about-motive-for-attack-on-american-center-in-kolkata-796670-2002-02-03 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-06 |title=Kolkata, Howrah, Salt Lake get new police commissioners ahead of assembly polls |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata-howrah-salt-lake-get-new-police-commissioners-ahead-of-assembly-polls-101612628287021.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208084443/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata-howrah-salt-lake-get-new-police-commissioners-ahead-of-assembly-polls-101612628287021.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and helped investigate the ] perpetrated in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-11-21 |title=Calcutta Stock Exchange scam prime accused held |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/calcutta-stock-exchange-scam-prime-accused-held/articleshow/28904218.cms |access-date=2024-07-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020645/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Calcutta-Stock-Exchange-scam-prime-accused-held/articleshow/28904218.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Former CSE president arrested |url=https://www.rediff.com/money/report/cse/20030611.htm |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Rediff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-12-02 |title=Calcutta Stock Exchange payment crisis: Lending brokers arrested but may be too late |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/20021202-calcutta-stock-exchange-payment-crisis-lending-brokers-arrested-but-may-be-too-late-794373-2002-12-01 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Later, he was also put in charge of the ] of the ].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2016-04-13 |title=Soumen Mitra Takes Over as Kolkata Police Commissioner |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2016/Apr/13/soumen-mitra-takes-over-as-kolkata-police-commissioner-923952.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805050209/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2016/apr/13/Soumen-Mitra-Takes-Over-as-Kolkata-Police-Commissioner-923952.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mitra was transferred to the ] to serve as a ] for the detective department. He helped lead the police team in investigating the ] in 2002 and helped investigate the ] scam<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 21, 2002 |title=Calcutta Stock Exchange scam prime accused held |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/calcutta-stock-exchange-scam-prime-accused-held/articleshow/28904218.cms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2003 |title=Former CSE president arrested |url=https://www.rediff.com/money/report/cse/20030611.htm}}</ref> perpetrated in 2001. Later, he was also put in charge of the ] of the ].


=== Police Commissioner (2016) === === Police Commissioner (2016) ===
In the run up to the ], Mitra was appointed the ] of the ] by the ] despite opposition from the incumbent ] government on 13 April 2016. Mitra's predecessor, ] was seen as biased towards the ruling party and the other parties contesting the elections had filed petitions to the Election Commission alleging mismanagement of the elections due to rampant incidents of poll violence targeted at members of those parties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160413/jsp/frontpage/story_79916.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416034510/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160413/jsp/frontpage/story_79916.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 April 2016|title='Bias' Kumar gets the boot|website=The Telegraph|access-date=2016-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kolkata Police Chief Rajeev Kumar Removed By Election Commission |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/kolkata-police-commissioner-rajeev-kumar-removed-by-poll-panel-1394717 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=] |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203181547/https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/kolkata-police-commissioner-rajeev-kumar-removed-by-poll-panel-1394717 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mitra who perceived to be a rival of Kumar, cracked down on poll violence, and was credited with ensuring a smooth election.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ganguly |first=Arnab |date=10 August 2021 |title=Police commissioner Soumen Mitra tops Mamata's I-Day medals list |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/police-commissioner-soumen-mitra-tops-mamatas-i-day-medals-list/cid/1826022 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=] |archive-date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810183543/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/police-commissioner-soumen-mitra-tops-mamatas-i-day-medals-list/cid/1826022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-05 |title=Last action hero: Why Kolkatans should be proud of police commissioner Soumen Mitra |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/last-action-hero-why-kolkatans-should-be-proud-of-top-cop-soumen-mitra-2764960.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> Subsequently, after the Trinamool government came back to power with a landslide victory, Soumen Mitra was removed from his post as Police Commissioner and was appointed as the Assistant Deputy General of Training.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-22 |title=Rajeev Kumar reinstated as Kolkata Police chief after Mamata’s return |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajeev-kumar-reinstated-as-kolkata-police-chief-after-mamatas-return-2812729/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314095619/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajeev-kumar-reinstated-as-kolkata-police-chief-after-mamatas-return-2812729/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the run up to the ], Mitra was appointed the ] by the ] despite opposition from the incumbent ] government on 13 April 2016. Mitra's predecessor, ] was seen as biased towards the ruling party and the other parties contesting the elections had filed petitions to the Election Commission alleging mismanagement of the elections due to rampant incidents of poll violence targeted at members of those parties<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 12, 2016 |title=Kolkata Police Chief Rajeev Kumar Removed By Election Commission |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/kolkata-police-commissioner-rajeev-kumar-removed-by-poll-panel-1394717 |website=www.ndtv.com}}</ref>. Mitra who perceived to be a rival of Kumar, cracked down on poll violence, and was credited with ensuring free and fair elections without any violence. Subsequently, after the Trinamool government came back to power with a landslide victory, Soumen Mitra was removed from his post as Police Commissioner and was appointed as the Additional Director General of Police, Training Branch.


=== Police Commissioner (2021) === === Police Commissioner (2021) ===
In February 2021, Mitra was again appointed as the Police ] in the period prior to the ] by ]’s government. In August 2021, Mitra received the Chief Minister’s ]<ref name=":1" /> for Outstanding Service and also the Anirudh Bhargava INTACH Environment Award<ref name=":2" />. Mitra continued being the police commissioner after the conclusion of the 2021 elections until he retired from the ] in December 2021.
In February 2021, Mitra was again appointed as the Police Commissioner of the Kolkata Police in the period prior to the ] by ] on the recommendation of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhandari |first=Shashwat |date=2021-09-09 |title=Kolkata Police Commissioner Soumen Mitra promoted to DGP rank by Bengal government |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/kolkata-police-commissioner-soumen-mitra-promoted-to-dgp-rank-mamata-banerjee-bengal-government-732909 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=IANS |date=2021-08-11 |title=Kolkata top cop Soumen Mitra selected for Police Medal |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/kolkata/kolkata-top-cop-soumen-mitra-selected-police-medal-1502993186.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=The Statesman |language=en |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930232606/https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/kolkata/kolkata-top-cop-soumen-mitra-selected-police-medal-1502993186.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2021, Mitra received the ] for outstanding service to the West Bengal government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kolkata Top Cop, 2 Other IPS Officers To Get Medal For Outstanding Service |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/kolkata-police-commissioner-soumen-mitra-2-other-ips-officers-to-get-police-medal-for-outstanding-service-2507935 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817014618/https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/kolkata-police-commissioner-soumen-mitra-2-other-ips-officers-to-get-police-medal-for-outstanding-service-2507935 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mitra continued being the police commissioner after the conclusion of the elections until he retired from the ] in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-31 |title=Vineet Kumar Goyal appointed new Kolkata Police commissioner |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/kolkata/story/vineet-kumar-goyal-appointed-new-kolkata-police-commissioner-ips-rank-officers-reshuffle-west-bengal-1894488-2021-12-31 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603132151/https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/kolkata/story/vineet-kumar-goyal-appointed-new-kolkata-police-commissioner-ips-rank-officers-reshuffle-west-bengal-1894488-2021-12-31 |url-status=live }}</ref>


== Other interests == == Other interests ==
Mitra is known in the police force for his interest in heritage structures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitra |first=Soumen |date=24 August 2023 |title=Remembrances and revisitations: Restoring colonial buildings in Kolkata |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/remembrances-and-revisitations-restoring-colonial-buildings-in-kolkata/cid/1954231 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=] |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724165801/https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/remembrances-and-revisitations-restoring-colonial-buildings-in-kolkata/cid/1954231 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, Mitra helped rescue and restore a dilapidated building on ] which was occupied by Ramendra Narayan Roy (popularly known as the Sanyasi Raja) when he was fighting his legal battles in the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-01-25 |title=Sanyasi Raja house now a police hub |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/sanyasi-raja-house-now-a-police-hub/articleshow/29327634.cms |access-date=2024-07-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324040452/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Sanyasi-Raja-house-now-a-police-hub/articleshow/29327634.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, he helped restore the ] which had previously served as one India's first mental asylum and was considered iconic due to it's unique architecture style that was pioneered by ] in the 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakrabarty |first=Saionee |date=12 January 2021 |title=Narayan Sinha’s public art pays tribute to Kolkata |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/people/narayan-sinhas-public-art/cid/1847164 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=হেরিটেজের 'লেগ্যাসি' রেখেই অবসরে সৌমেন |url=https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/kolkata-news/soumen-mitra-retired-from-police-commissioner-of-kolkata/articleshow/88614540.cms |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Eisamay |language=bn}}</ref> Mitra is known in the police force for bringing his interest in heritage restoration<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 December 2024 |title=Remembrances and revisitations: Restoring colonial buildings in Kolkata |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/remembrances-and-revisitations-restoring-colonial-buildings-in-kolkata/cid/1954231 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>. In 2004, Mitra helped rescue and restore a dilapidated building on Ripon Street which was occupied by Ramendra Narayan Roy (popularly known as the Sanyasi Raja) when he was fighting his legal battles in the ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2014 |title=Sanyasi Raja house now a police hub |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/sanyasi-raja-house-now-a-police-hub/articleshow/29327634.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref>. In 2015, he helped restore the Police Training School which had previously served as one of India's first mental asylum and was considered iconic due to its unique architecture style that was pioneered by ] in the 18th century.

His restoration and repair of Government House, Barrackpore, the previous residence of the ], was awarded the Heritage Conservation Award 2018-19 by the ] (INTACH).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahamed |first=Adil |date=21 July 2023 |title=Rediscovering Barrackpore: India’s oldest cantonment has a wealth of historical riches |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/rediscovering-barrackpore-indias-oldest-cantonment-has-a-wealth-of-historical-riches/cid/1875802 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=] |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129183742/https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/rediscovering-barrackpore-indias-oldest-cantonment-has-a-wealth-of-historical-riches/cid/1875802 |url-status=live }}</ref>


== Literary works == == Literary works ==
Mitra's M Phil dissertation has been published as a book entitled ''In Search of an Identity: The History of Football in Colonial Calcutta, 1880–1950''.<ref name=":0" /> Mitra's M Phil dissertation has been published as a book entitled ''In Search of an Identity: The History of Football in Colonial Calcutta, 1880–1950''. <sup> </sup> This work was translated into Bengali and published as ‘''Colonial Kolkatar Football’''


In 2019 he collaborated with his wife, Monabi Mitra, in writing ''Under The Banyan Tree: The Forgotten Story of Barrackpore Park'', narrating the two hundred year-old history of Government House Barrackpore.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saha |first=Shrestha |date=28 November 2019 |title=Travelogues to read this week |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/books/travelogues-to-read-this-week/cid/1722470 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=]}}</ref> In 2019 he collaborated with his wife, Monabi Mitra, in writing ''Under The Banyan Tree: The Forgotten Story of Barrackpore Park'', narrating the two hundred year-old history of Government House ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 December 2024 |title=Under The Banyan Tree: The Forgotten Story of Barrackpore Park |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/books/travelogues-to-read-this-week/cid/1722470 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>.

In 2021 he co authored with Nikhil Kapur in writing ''Built Heritage of ].''


== Personal life == == Personal life ==
Soumen Mitra is married and resides in Kolkata. His wife, Manobi Mitra, is a professor of English and a crime novelist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghose |first=Chandrayee |last2=Chauduri |first2=Trina |date=29 December 2013 |title=Confessions of a crime writer |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/confessions-of-a-crime-writer/cid/1285773 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=]}}</ref> Soumen Mitra is married and resides in Kolkata. His wife, Monabi Mitra, is a professor of English and a crime novelist.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ghose |first1=Chandrayee |last2=Chauduri |first2=Trina |date=29 December 2013 |title=Confessions of a crime writer |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/confessions-of-a-crime-writer/cid/1285773 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=]}}</ref>

==See also==
*]


==References== ==References==

Latest revision as of 15:01, 26 December 2024

Indian police officer

Soumen Mitra
38th Police Commissioner of Kolkata
In office
8 February 2021 – 31 December 2021
Preceded byAnuj Sharma
Succeeded byVineet Kumar Goyal
In office
13 April 2016 – 21 May 2016
Preceded byRajeev Kumar
Succeeded byRajeev Kumar
Personal details
Born (1961-12-16) 16 December 1961 (age 63)
NationalityIndian
Education
Alma mater
Police career
ServiceIndian Police Service
DepartmentWest Bengal Police Kolkata Police
Service years1988–2021
StatusRetired
Badge no.19881066
Awards President's Police Medal (for Distinguished Service)
Police Medal for Meritorious Service
50th Anniversary Independence Medal

Soumen Mitra (born 16 December 1961) is an Indian police Service officer of the 1988 batch and was allotted the West Bengal cadre. He was the 38th Police Commissioner of Kolkata. Mitra started his police career as a probationary officer in Darjeeling. After his probationary period , Mitra served as ASP (Operations) Darjeeling, SDPO Barrackpore with additional charge as ADC to the Governor of West Bengal, Addl. SP Murshidabad, Addl. SP Asansol, Dy Commissioner of Police (Special), Detective Department Kolkata Police, SP Murshidabad, SC Nort Division, Kolkata, SP Howrah, Dy Commissioner of Police, Detective Department Kolkata Police, Jt CP (Organisation) Kolkata Police, DIG CID, DIG Presidency Range, IGP CID, Addl. CP Kolkata Police with additional charge as MD Kolkata Police Housing & Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd., Spl CP Kolkata Police, ADG CID, Commissioner of Police Kolkata, ADG Training Branch with additional charge as Advisor, WBSEDCL & Director WBPH&IDCL. and again Commissioner of Police Kolkata. AS DC DD he led investigations into the 2002 attack on the American Culture Centre by terrorists and in the 2001 Kolkata Stock Exchange scam.

Mitra served as Police Commissioner of Kolkata twice, first appointed by the Election Commission of India in 2016 during the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections and secondly appointed by the Government of West Bengal in 2021. He received huge accolades from the media and common people for conducting  free & fair elections in Kolkata without any violence during his tenures as CP in the two Assembly Elections of 2016 and 2021. Mitra retired on 31 December 2021 as CP Kolkata. Post superannuation, Government of West Bengal appointed him as Director, Training of WBP for 2 years. He is the recipient of the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, the Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Outstanding Service and the Anirudh Bhargava INTACH Environmental Award. He is also known for his keen interest in heritage conservation, having helped restore several historical structures of Kolkata Police and  West Bengal Police.

Early life and career

Born in 1961, Mitra was educated at St. Xavier's Collegiate School Kolkata, Presidency College Kolkata and Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi, completing his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy. A history graduate, he qualified for the Civil Services examinations and was inducted into the Indian Police Service, belonging to the 1988-batch in the West Bengal cadre. Initially, he started out as a probation officer in Darjeeling before being appointed the Assistant Superintendent of Police (Operations) in Darjeeling. Subsequently, Mitra held the posts of SDPO Barrackpore, Addl. SP Murshidabad, Addl. SP Asansol, DC DD (Special), DC North, SP Howrah, DC DD Kolkata, Jt CP (Organisation) Kolkata, DIG CID, DIG Presidency Range, IG CID, Addl. CP Kolkata, Spl CP Kolkata, ADG CID, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata ADG Training and again Commissioner of Police Kolkata. Barrackpore, Howrah and Murshidabad. During this time, he developed a reputation for starting welfare and development projects in areas where he was posted. He is credited to have started the Chandradeep Mela, an annual social event in Hariharpara, an area known for its criminal activities and communal violence, which helped stabilize the atmosphere.

Mitra was transferred to the Kolkata Police to serve as a deputy commissioner for the detective department. He helped lead the police team in investigating the attack on the American Culture Centre in Kolkata in 2002 and helped investigate the Kolkata Stock Exchange scam perpetrated in 2001. Later, he was also put in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department of the West Bengal Police.

Police Commissioner (2016)

In the run up to the 2016 Assembly Elections in West Bengal, Mitra was appointed the Commissioner of the Kolkata Police by the Election Commission of India despite opposition from the incumbent Trinamool Congress government on 13 April 2016. Mitra's predecessor, Rajeev Kumar was seen as biased towards the ruling party and the other parties contesting the elections had filed petitions to the Election Commission alleging mismanagement of the elections due to rampant incidents of poll violence targeted at members of those parties. Mitra who perceived to be a rival of Kumar, cracked down on poll violence, and was credited with ensuring free and fair elections without any violence. Subsequently, after the Trinamool government came back to power with a landslide victory, Soumen Mitra was removed from his post as Police Commissioner and was appointed as the Additional Director General of Police, Training Branch.

Police Commissioner (2021)

In February 2021, Mitra was again appointed as the Police Commissioner of the Kolkata Police in the period prior to the 2021 Assembly Elections in West Bengal by Mamata Banerjee’s government. In August 2021, Mitra received the Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Outstanding Service and also the Anirudh Bhargava INTACH Environment Award. Mitra continued being the police commissioner after the conclusion of the 2021 elections until he retired from the Indian Police Service in December 2021.

Other interests

Mitra is known in the police force for bringing his interest in heritage restoration. In 2004, Mitra helped rescue and restore a dilapidated building on Ripon Street which was occupied by Ramendra Narayan Roy (popularly known as the Sanyasi Raja) when he was fighting his legal battles in the Bhawal case. In 2015, he helped restore the Police Training School which had previously served as one of India's first mental asylum and was considered iconic due to its unique architecture style that was pioneered by Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century.

Literary works

Mitra's M Phil dissertation has been published as a book entitled In Search of an Identity: The History of Football in Colonial Calcutta, 1880–1950. This work was translated into Bengali and published as ‘Colonial Kolkatar Football’

In 2019 he collaborated with his wife, Monabi Mitra, in writing Under The Banyan Tree: The Forgotten Story of Barrackpore Park, narrating the two hundred year-old history of Government House Barrackpore.

In 2021 he co authored with Nikhil Kapur in writing Built Heritage of Kolkata Police.

Personal life

Soumen Mitra is married and resides in Kolkata. His wife, Monabi Mitra, is a professor of English and a crime novelist.

References

  1. "IPS CIVIL LIST 2014". 2014. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  2. "Soumen Mitra News Photo Soumen Mitra". timesofindia.com.
  3. ^ "No.I-21023/04/2011-IPS-IV - Government of India - Ministry of Home Affairs" (PDF). ips.gov.in. 3 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Soumen Mitra becomes new Kolkata Police Commissioner". 7 February 2021.
  5. "Arakh". Desh (magazine) (in Bengali). Desh (magazine): page. 14-16. 17 May 2016
  6. "West Bengal: Soumen Mitra appointed as Officer on Special Duty and Director, Training in rank of DGP".
  7. "PRESIDENT'S POLICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Kolkata top cop Soumen Mitra to receive CM's medal for outstanding service".
  9. ^ "Environmental award for Kolkata CP Soumen Mitra".
  10. "Calcutta Stock Exchange scam prime accused held". 21 November 2002.
  11. "Former CSE president arrested". 11 June 2003.
  12. "Kolkata Police Chief Rajeev Kumar Removed By Election Commission". www.ndtv.com. 12 April 2016.
  13. "Remembrances and revisitations: Restoring colonial buildings in Kolkata". www.telegraphindia.com. 26 December 2024.
  14. "Sanyasi Raja house now a police hub". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 25 January 2014.
  15. "Under The Banyan Tree: The Forgotten Story of Barrackpore Park". www.telegraphindia.com. 26 December 2024.
  16. Ghose, Chandrayee; Chauduri, Trina (29 December 2013). "Confessions of a crime writer". The Telegraph (India). Retrieved 15 July 2024.
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