Shimla: In a dramatic escalation of internal discord within the Himachal Pradesh Police, Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma on Sunday recommended the immediate suspension of Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi for alleged “gross misconduct, insubordination, and dereliction of duty.”
The recommendation comes just a day after SP Gandhi held a press conference in which he accused members of the DGP’s staff of links with a drug trafficking syndicate and criticized the handling of the high-profile Vimal Negi death case.
In a formal letter addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), the Chief Secretary, and the Private Secretary to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, DGP Verma sought Gandhi’s suspension and his immediate repatriation to police headquarters. He also urged a comprehensive departmental inquiry and cooperation with the ongoing CBI investigation into the Negi case.
Allegations of Misconduct and Security Concerns
According to the letter, SP Gandhi made “inappropriate and baseless allegations” against top government officials, including the Chief Secretary and a constitutional authority. DGP Verma described these actions as a clear violation of service conduct rules and warned they could “strain relations between the Centre and the state government.”
“He also made unverified and potentially prejudicial statements regarding the National Security Guard (NSG) in relation to a matter that remains under active investigation,” the DGP noted. These statements, he added, not only undermine public trust but also threaten the operational harmony between state and central institutions.
The DGP cited Rule 3(1) and Rule 7 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which mandate absolute integrity, devotion to duty, and behavior befitting the dignity of service. The conduct of SP Gandhi was also deemed in violation of Section 87 of the Himachal Pradesh Police Act, 2007.
SP Gandhi’s Explosive Press Conference
In his Saturday press conference, SP Gandhi alleged that the status report filed by DGP Verma in the Himachal Pradesh High Court on the SIT probe into Vimal Negi’s death was “irresponsible” and motivated by “personal vendetta.” He further accused members of the DGP’s office of having links with the Sanjay Bhuria gang – an alleged drug trafficking syndicate – and of attempting to derail the probe into the leak of confidential CID documents.
Gandhi also made serious allegations against former DGP Sanjay Kundu, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, former Shimla Deputy Commissioner, and current Dharamshala MLA Sudhir Sharma.
Political and Legal Ramifications
The explosive row has triggered a political and administrative storm, with implications for the state’s law enforcement credibility and coordination with central agencies. Sources say the state government is reviewing the matter closely and is expected to issue directions in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the CBI’s investigation into the Vimal Negi death case continues to attract intense public scrutiny, with both the state police and judiciary under pressure to maintain transparency and uphold institutional integrity.
