Aizawl: A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer posted in Mizoram has reportedly gone untraceable, prompting the state police to initiate an inquiry into his whereabouts.
The officer has been identified as Shankar Choudhary, a 2011-batch IPS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, currently serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at Police Headquarters in Aizawl.
According to officials, Choudhary had been on prolonged leave for more than 100 days between April and July 15, 2026. Despite being ordered to take up a new assignment as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Training, he has reportedly not joined the post.
A senior Mizoram Police official said the department was unable to establish the officer’s whereabouts and that an inquiry was underway. The police have not disclosed where Choudhary is believed to be or the circumstances surrounding his prolonged absence.
The development has drawn attention because the officer himself is part of the police establishment, while the department is now trying to ascertain his whereabouts.
Posted in Mizoram Since July 2023
Choudhary was posted to Mizoram on July 25, 2023. During his tenure in the state, he served as Superintendent of Police (Narcotics) before being appointed OSD at Police Headquarters on October 28, 2025.
His latest posting was reportedly followed by a period of prolonged absence. Although an order was subsequently issued assigning him the post of DIG (Training), he has not reported for duty.
The prolonged absence has now resulted in the state police initiating an inquiry.
Read also: ‘Clear Abuse of Authority’: Dwarka Court Denies Bail to IPS Officer in 2023 Narcotics Operation Case
Who Is IPS Shankar Choudhary?
Shankar Choudhary is a 2011-batch IPS officer belonging to the AGMUT cadre. He entered the IPS as a direct recruit through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
According to the profile information provided, he is a native of Jharkhand and holds a Master of Arts degree. He joined the IPS on August 29, 2011 and has around 15 years of service.
Before his present assignment in Mizoram, Choudhary served in the Delhi Police, where he held several policing responsibilities, including a stint as a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
He was subsequently transferred to Mizoram, where he served in the Narcotics wing and later at Police Headquarters.
Delhi Police Case and Allegations
Choudhary’s prolonged absence comes against the backdrop of a criminal case registered by the Delhi Police Vigilance Unit in February 2026.
The case relates to alleged police operations conducted in Delhi in November 2023, when Choudhary was serving as SP (Narcotics), Mizoram.
According to prosecution submissions cited in the material provided, a team from Mizoram Police allegedly conducted raids in Delhi without following the required procedures and without proper coordination with the local police.
The allegations include unlawful detention, searches and seizures without mandatory documentation, and alleged extortion.
The case reportedly concerns the alleged detention of a Nigerian national identified as Harrison, who was taken to Mizoram House in Vasant Vihar after a police operation in Delhi.
What Happened During the 2023 Operation?
According to the prosecution’s submissions before the Delhi High Court, Choudhary was allegedly present in Delhi during the operation and supervised a police team that conducted raids between November 21 and 29, 2023.
The prosecution claimed that the team carried out searches and seizures without preparing mandatory documents such as seizure memos or panchnamas. It also alleged that some individuals were detained without being formally arrested or produced before a magistrate within the stipulated period.
The Delhi High Court was also told that CCTV footage allegedly showed Choudhary entering the residence of Harrison, a Nigerian national, during the early hours of November 26, 2023.
The footage purportedly showed Harrison leaving the premises with a locker and two bags. He was subsequently taken to Mizoram House in Vasant Vihar, where he allegedly remained from November 26 to November 29.
Delhi Police accused Choudhary and others of illegal detention and extortion in connection with the episode.
Allegation of ₹35 Lakh Extortion
The Delhi Police Vigilance unit has also alleged that ₹35 lakh was extorted from Harrison’s wife, with a further amount allegedly demanded for his release.
An FIR was registered by the Delhi Police on February 5, 2026.
The allegations include wrongful confinement and extortion, among other offences. The case remains a matter of investigation and the allegations should not be treated as established guilt.
Anticipatory Bail Plea
Choudhary also came under judicial scrutiny in connection with the case when he sought anticipatory bail.
According to the material provided, a Delhi court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in February 2026. The prosecution also referred to an internal inquiry in Mizoram concerning alleged procedural violations and claims that documents were subsequently created to address some of the lapses.
The legal proceedings form an important part of the circumstances surrounding the officer’s current administrative situation.
Prolonged Leave and Failure to Join DIG Assignment
The latest development concerns Choudhary’s prolonged absence from duty.
Officials said he had taken leave for more than 100 days between April and July 15, 2026, with some reports putting the period at more than 150 days. The available material therefore indicates a prolonged period of absence, although the exact number of days varies across reports.
After the leave period, he was ordered to assume charge as DIG (Training) in Mizoram. However, he reportedly did not join the new assignment.
The police department subsequently found itself unable to establish his whereabouts, leading to an inquiry.
MHA-Linked Medical Examination Also Reported
The material provided also refers to a direction from the Ministry of Home Affairs for Choudhary to appear before an independent AIIMS Medical Board in July 2026.
This reportedly followed concerns surrounding prolonged leave and health-related grounds cited by some officers in connection with postings.
However, the precise circumstances of the medical examination and its outcome have not been provided in the material.
An Unusual Situation in Mizoram Administration
Choudhary’s reported absence is part of an unusual administrative situation in Mizoram involving another senior officer as well.
The state’s electoral machinery has also been dealing with the absence of a permanent replacement for Chief Electoral Officer Garima Gupta, an IAS officer who was appointed to the post in May but was subsequently transferred out of Mizoram in July.
Gupta took charge as CEO on May 18, but officials said she spent fewer than 10 days in the state because of leave. Despite her transfer, a new CEO had reportedly not been appointed at the time of the reports.
The situation has attracted attention because Mizoram is simultaneously undertaking the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a major exercise involving verification and updating of voter records.
Thus, two key state institutions—the police and election administration—have been dealing with unusual senior-level vacancies or prolonged absences at roughly the same time.
Career Profile of IPS Shankar Choudhary
IPS Choudhary’s career has included assignments in both Delhi and Mizoram. His career profile, as provided, includes:
- IPS Batch: 2011
- Cadre: AGMUT
- Date of joining IPS: August 29, 2011
- Current/last reported assignment: OSD, Police Headquarters, Mizoram
- Earlier Mizoram assignment: SP, Narcotics
- New assignment ordered: DIG, Training
- Home state: Jharkhand
- Educational qualification: MA
- Service entry: Direct recruit through UPSC Civil Services Examination
He has spent a significant part of his career in policing assignments and has held responsibilities in the national capital as well as Mizoram.
What Happens Next?
The Mizoram Police inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Choudhary’s prolonged absence and determine his whereabouts.
At the same time, the criminal case arising from the alleged 2023 Delhi operation remains a separate matter. The allegations made by the Delhi Police are subject to the ongoing legal process.
For now, the immediate administrative issue is that an IPS officer posted in Mizoram has reportedly not joined his new DIG-level assignment and his department has said it is unable to trace him.
The episode has put the spotlight on Choudhary’s career, his previous postings, the legal controversy surrounding the 2023 operation and the circumstances behind his prolonged absence from official duty.
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