IPS Soumya Sambasivan: Investment banker who became ‘Supercop’, solved many blind murder cases; once slapped an MLA

Ever since the rains wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, Mandi Superintendent of Police Soumya Sambasivan has once again hit headlines for successfully evacuating locals who were unwilling to leave their homes. However, did you know that Sambasivan was once a banking professional and is known for his strict discipline in the police department?

Who is Soumya Sambasivan?

Soumya Sambasivan is a 2010 batch IPS officer. He was born in Palakkad city of Kerala. Since his father worked as an engineer in the Indian Army, he completed his early education in various schools. He is a graduate in Biotechnology from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and PGDBA in Marketing and Finance from ICFAI, Hyderabad. After completing his PGDBA, he worked in a multinational bank as an investment banker for about three years.

Investment Banker to IPS

During her corporate trip, Soumya Sambasivan got bored easily and realized that she was not cut out for the role. Then he packed his bags and decided to crack the UPSC exam. Since joining the IPS, she has served with several departments including 3rd IRB (India Reserve Battalion), CID and became the first woman IPS officer from Shimla. During this stint, her video went viral in which she was seen training young women of Sirmaur district with self-protection tips and manufacturing pepper spray.

solving blind cases

Sambasivan has been instrumental in busting the drug mafia network apart from solving many blind cases. His name was also nominated for the President’s Medal. During his posting in Sirmaur district, he solved a blind murder case with his intelligence and eye for detail. Then the police found a dead body which could not be identified. In Sambasivan’s words, the body appeared to be that of a Hindu woman because of the bindi and vermilion on her forehead. When no one claimed the body, it was cremated as per Hindu rituals and the ashes were preserved. However, during investigation, when Sambasivan looked closely at the photo of the victim, he realized that the woman had recently shaved her eyebrows.

Sambasivan then ordered his team to circulate the picture to all the beauty salons in the area. The idea worked and one of the saloon owners recognized him and the police were able to trace him to his house. It was learned that the deceased was not a Hindu woman but a Muslim and it was her husband who had murdered her. The police later came to know that she was once a dancer.

Despite solving the case, Sambasivan felt bad about her funeral and then his team requested a cleric to cremate her remains but the cleric refused. Then Sambasivan herself went to the cemetery and performed her last rites.

slapped an MLA

Soumya Sambasivam also did a great job in curbing drugs, alcohol and human trafficking. During a protest in 2006, Soumya is said to have asked an MLA to leave, but he refused. At that time it was said in many media reports that Soumya Sambasivam had slapped the MLA to stop the police from doing their duty.

Soumya Sambasivan is very close to her parents, especially her mother. She likes to write poems in her spare time.