The News Freedom
Shimla/New Delhi, January 2
Following an order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Sanjay Kundu was ousted from his role as state police chief on Tuesday, being shifted to the position of principal secretary, Ayush. Meanwhile, Satwant Atwal Trivedi, a 1996 batch IPS officer of HP cadre, has been given the additional charge of the DGP. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear Kundu’s plea contesting the high court’s decision on Wednesday. The high court’s directive for his removal aimed to facilitate a fair investigation into a businessman’s complaint citing a perceived threat to his life.
The High Court’s action on November 11, 2023, came in response to an October 28 email complaint filed by Nishant Kumar Sharma, a Palampur businessman, alleging threats from influential figures. Sharma also submitted a written complaint to Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena and Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri, detailing concerning calls. He specifically identified the phone numbers, stating, “…the first two phone numbers are from the office of the DGP, Himachal Pradesh, the last two phone numbers are of DSP and SHO Palampur respectively.”
Sharma accused two affluent individuals, including a former IPS officer and a practicing lawyer, of coercive tactics to pressure him and his father to sell their company. He recounted a distressing incident involving an orchestrated attack narrowly evaded by him and his young child at his parents’ residence in Gurugram.
On December 26, the High Court bench, led by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, issued directives for relocating the state’s DGP Sanjay Kundu and Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri. This relocation aims to ensure an unbiased investigation into a local businessman’s complaint alleging threats to his life.
During the ruling, the court refrained from taking a position on the case’s specifics due to ongoing investigations. Emphasizing the importance of justice and transparent proceedings, the court aimed to ensure both the actuality and the perception of fairness in the investigative process.
The court’s recommendation for relocating the Director-General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, and the Kangra SP aimed to guarantee an impartial inquiry into the filed FIRs. Directing the Secretary (Home) to oversee their reassignment to different roles, the court stressed the necessity for an environment conducive to an unbiased investigation.