Shimla: A second First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, a 2012-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre and Deputy Inspector General (DIG), over alleged financial irregularities involving police maintenance funds worth ₹14.07 lakh. The FIR was registered at Shimla Police Station on October 22, 2026, following findings by an audit committee constituted by the Police Headquarters.
The case concerns the alleged diversion of funds allocated for the repair and maintenance of police buildings and personnel residences towards the official residence of Gandhi, known as Southwood, during his tenure as Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla.
According to a statement issued by the Himachal Pradesh Police, the FIR was registered under Section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The audit reportedly found that expenditure had been incurred without a specifically sanctioned budget or the necessary approvals from the competent authorities.
The latest FIR comes a day after another case was registered against Gandhi over allegations of cheating, financial irregularities and misappropriation of government funds.
Second FIR Against Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi Over Police Maintenance Funds
The audit committee examined approximately ₹1.28 crore allocated between the financial years 2022-23 and 2024-25 for the repair and maintenance of police buildings and official residences.
During the audit, expenditure of ₹14,07,392 was found to have been recorded against repairs and maintenance at Gandhi’s official residence in Shimla. However, the audit reportedly found no specific budget sanctioned by the state government or Police Headquarters for repairs to the property.
The records also did not contain evidence of prior permission or approval from the competent authority for the expenditure.
The police statement described the alleged diversion of funds intended for police infrastructure and personnel welfare as a serious matter, particularly because the money was meant to support essential repairs and basic amenities.
Read also: Who Is Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi? 2012-Batch IPS Officer Booked in Himachal Police Fund Case
Audit Flags Diversion of Funds From Rampur SDPO Residence
The audit report also raised concerns over the alleged diversion of funds originally sanctioned for other police facilities.
According to the findings, ₹2.80 lakh allocated for repairs to the residence of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Rampur was allegedly redirected towards the then SP’s official residence in Shimla.
The report further flagged ₹2.50 lakh earmarked for repairs to a guard post at the Shoghi police barrier. The amount was reportedly withdrawn on the grounds that the work had been completed in February 2023.
However, the expenditure was subsequently shown against repairs to the SP’s residence, while the audit found no evidence that the proposed work at Shoghi had actually been carried out.
The findings have raised questions about whether funds allocated for specific police infrastructure projects were used for their intended purposes.
Audit Raises Questions Over Repairs and Approvals
The audit also recorded expenditure of ₹1.62 lakh during 2023-24 and ₹7.22 lakh during 2024-25 on works at Gandhi’s official residence.
According to the report, the required prior approvals and recommendations of the district-level committee were not available in the records for these works.
For the financial year 2025-26, a total of 50 works had been proposed under a budget of ₹28.67 lakh. Records showed that 22 works had been executed, including 13 that reportedly fell outside the scope of the originally approved proposals.
The audit committee raised objections to expenditure on works that deviated from the approved plans.
These findings form part of the material cited in connection with the latest FIR. The allegations will be subject to investigation and the relevant legal process.
Shoghi Police Post Still Operating From a Container
The police statement highlighted the condition of the Shoghi police post, which reportedly continued to operate from a container despite the proposed repairs.
Police personnel were consequently required to perform their duties under difficult conditions, according to the statement.
The police department expressed concern that funds intended for essential repairs to police workplaces and residences may have been spent on the official residence of the then SP without proper authorisation.
The issue has brought attention to the allocation and utilisation of maintenance funds meant to improve working conditions and provide basic facilities for police personnel.
Earlier FIR Related to Alleged Non-Reimbursement of ₹1.87 Lakh
The second FIR was registered a day after another case was filed against Gandhi over allegations of cheating, financial irregularities and misappropriation of government funds.
The earlier case followed a complaint by a police constable who alleged that he had not received reimbursement of ₹1.87 lakh spent on official arrangements.
Gandhi has described the cases as a “witch-hunt” and denied wrongdoing. He has maintained that he had done nothing wrong and alleged that he was being pressured to remain silent about wrongdoing.
The allegations in both cases remain under investigation, and the registration of FIRs does not establish guilt.
Who Is Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi?
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi is a 2012-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre. He entered the IPS through promotion from the State Police Service.
He served as Superintendent of Police, Shimla, from January 2023 until February 7, 2026. He was promoted to the rank of DIG in January 2026 and subsequently received changes in his assignments.
Gandhi was recently posted as Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Backwards Classes Finance and Development Corporation in Kangra, after serving as DIG (Traffic, Tourism and Railways).
Before his Shimla posting, he held several policing assignments, including SP in Kullu, Kangra and Una. He also served as Commandant of the 1st Himachal Pradesh Armed Police Battalion at Junga in Shimla district.
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi’s Earlier Policing Record
During his tenure as SP, Kangra, in 2017, Gandhi led operations against drug and mining mafias. His actions were followed by three transfers within 15 days, according to the information provided.
In 2022, he received the DGP Disc and Best Administrator Award for his work against the drug mafia.
Gandhi has also been involved in several high-profile controversies during his career, including disputes linked to investigations and alleged irregularities in public recruitment.
Vimal Negi Death Case and Dispute With Senior Officials
In May 2025, Gandhi, who was heading a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, publicly alleged that senior police and administrative officials were obstructing the investigation. Negi’s body was found in Gobind Sagar Lake on March 18, 2025. The Himachal Pradesh High Court subsequently transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The investigation led to a public confrontation involving Gandhi and senior officials, including former Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma, former DGP Sanjay Kundu and then Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena.
Gandhi made allegations against these officials, but the claims should not be treated as established facts without supporting findings from the relevant authorities.
Other Controversies Involving the IPS Officer
Gandhi was also associated with a police recruitment committee that raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 recruitment process. The matter prompted a CBI investigation. In another controversy, Gandhi accused BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma of orchestrating horse-trading during the February 2024 Rajya Sabha elections, when six Congress MLAs cross-voted in favour of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan.
These episodes have placed the officer in the public spotlight on multiple occasions. The latest FIR, however, concerns alleged irregularities in the use of police maintenance funds during his tenure as SP, Shimla.
Investigation Into Alleged Fund Diversion Continues
The second FIR adds to the legal and administrative challenges facing Gandhi. The investigation will examine the alleged diversion of maintenance funds, the absence of required approvals and the discrepancies highlighted by the audit committee.
The central issue is whether government funds allocated for police buildings, personnel residences and essential facilities were used in accordance with the approved purposes and financial procedures.
The allegations against Gandhi remain subject to investigation. A final determination of responsibility will depend on the evidence and the outcome of the legal proceedings.
Read also: Himachal IPS Face-Off: Shimla SP Bungalow Becomes Fresh Flashpoint for Bureaucratic Tensions
