Shimla: Himachal Pradesh IPS officer Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi has come under scrutiny after the Shimla Police registered a case against him over alleged financial irregularities involving a district police fund. The case follows a constable’s complaint that ₹1.87 lakh spent on official arrangements was not reimbursed despite the bills being approved for payment.
Gandhi, who served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Shimla from January 2023 until February 2026, has rejected the allegations and called for an independent audit of the Himachal Pradesh Police Road Safety Fund.
The FIR was registered at Shimla Sadar police station under Sections 316(5), 314, 318, 336 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The allegations are under investigation and have not been established in court.
Who Is Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi?
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi is a 2012-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre who entered the IPS through promotion from the State Police Service.
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He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. His service record includes assignments as a district police chief and commandant before he took charge as Shimla SP in January 2023.
Career: From District Police Assignments to Shimla SP
Before becoming Shimla’s police chief, Gandhi served in several policing assignments in Himachal Pradesh, including postings as SP in Kullu, Kangra and Una.
In January 2023, the state government appointed him SP of Shimla, replacing Monika Bhutungru, who was moved to the post of Commandant of the Himachal Pradesh Armed Police.
During his career, Gandhi also served as Commandant of the 1st Himachal Pradesh Armed Police battalion at Junga in Shimla district.
He was promoted to the rank of DIG in January 2026. Following subsequent transfers, he was posted as DIG (Traffic, Tourism and Railways) before another change in assignment.
Why Has Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi Been Booked?
The current case stems from a complaint by a police constable posted at Police Lines, Kaithu, in Shimla.
The constable alleged that he was assigned official arrangements during 2024 and 2025 and was instructed to use his personal money, with the assurance that the expenses would be reimbursed.
According to the complaint, he spent ₹1,87,890 and submitted bills that were subsequently examined and approved for payment.
The complainant alleged that on February 6, 2026, Gandhi, who was then Shimla SP, obtained his signatures on payment-related vouchers by allegedly telling him that the signatures were necessary to process the reimbursement. However, the constable claimed that the approved amount was not credited to his account.
When he later approached the accounts branch, he allegedly learnt that the funds had been withdrawn but had not reached him.
What Did the Preliminary Financial Examination Reveal?
According to the Shimla Police, an examination of financial records revealed the alleged unauthorised withdrawal of approximately ₹2.35 lakh from a district police fund over nearly two years.
The police stated that the available records did not establish the purpose for which the withdrawn funds had been spent.
The complaint and preliminary examination led to the registration of an FIR under the following BNS provisions:
- Section 316(5): Criminal breach of trust by specified categories of persons, including public servants.
- Section 314: Dishonest misappropriation of property.
- Section 318: Cheating.
- Section 336: Forgery.
- Section 340: Forged documents and electronic records, including their use as genuine.
The investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged transactions and the handling of the funds.
What Has Gandhi Said About the Allegations?
Gandhi has rejected the allegations of financial misappropriation and called for an independent audit of the Himachal Pradesh Police Road Safety Fund.
He has maintained that the action against him is linked to his demand for scrutiny of the fund’s utilisation and said he would respond through legal means.
What Happens Next?
The police investigation will examine the relevant financial records, payment vouchers and transactions to establish how the money was withdrawn and why the constable’s approved reimbursement was allegedly not paid.
The case places the handling of official police funds under scrutiny. Any determination of criminal liability will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation and the outcome of the judicial process.
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