Meet IPS Raina Mitra who is likely to become first woman chief of CBI

Mitra headed the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, an organisation tasked to combat organized wildlife crime, in its early years, they said, adding that if chosen, she would become the first woman chief of the CBI.

She has been awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1999 and President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2008./ IMAGE: Dattatreya/ Twitter

NEW DELHI: As the government is now on look for new boss of CBI, in the race, senior IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre Raina Mitra’s name is leading the list. It is reported that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Selection Committee has shortlisted 12 candidates for the new Director of CBI. Gujarat Director General of Police Shivanand Jha and Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) YC Modi are also in this list. If Mitra is elected then this will be the first time since the formation of CBI when its command is in the hands of a woman. Raina is a 1983 batch IPS officer and is currently posted at the Ministry of Home Affairs as Special Secretary (Internal Security). Mitra's image is clear and there is no controversy related to them. She has been awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1999 and President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2008. She has experience of working in the CBI where she spent nearly five years and had a long tenure in Madhya Pradesh state vigilance where she handled serious corruption cases. Mitra headed the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, an organisation tasked to combat organized wildlife crime, in its early years, they said, adding that if chosen, she would become the first woman chief of the CBI. In order to find a replacement for Alok Verma was removed as the CBI director on Januray 10, three weeks before he was to demit his office, the selection panel is expected to meet on Thursday. A 1979-batch IPS officer, Verma was locked in a bitter tussle with agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana, a 1984-batch IPS officer.