Shimla, January 10:
In a significant development, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ruled that IPS officer Ilma Afroz must rejoin her position as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Baddi. The court’s order came after the state government failed to provide a panel of three officers for the position. The case, which has been under judicial scrutiny for some time, will see its next hearing on February 28.
This decision stems from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the court, which called for the immediate reinstatement of Ilma Afroz to her role in Baddi. The court had earlier issued notices to both the state’s Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to explain their stance regarding the delay in the officer’s appointment. The petition raised concerns over the vacancy in the Baddi SP post, which had been vacant since Afroz’s transfer following an internal conflict with Congress MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary.
The state government had presented a panel of three officers to fill the vacancy, which the court discussed in its proceedings. In the previous hearing, it was revealed that Ilma Afroz had requested a transfer, which resulted in her placement at the Shimla Police Headquarters. However, with the Baddi SP post left unfilled, the issue escalated to the High Court, prompting the PIL seeking her reappointment.
As the matter unfolds, the court has mandated that the Home Secretary and the DGP present their clarifications by the next hearing, further emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to the matter. The controversy has also brought attention to internal disputes within the police department and their impact on governance and law enforcement duties in the region.
This case has sparked discussions on administrative efficiency, and the importance of timely postings in key law enforcement positions to maintain stability and order.
About The Author
