The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to maintain the status quo regarding posting of IPS officer Ilma Afroz (IPS:2018:HP) as the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Baddi. The order came during a hearing on Friday, following consecutive court proceedings on the matter. The next hearing is scheduled for February 24 in the bench of Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sushil Kukreja.
In Friday’s session, presided over by Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Satyen Vaidya, the court addressed the state government’s inability to present a panel of three IPS officers for the Baddi SP post, as requested in an earlier hearing. The Advocate General argued that a general transfer of IPS officers was imminent, making it challenging to submit the panel. However, the court dismissed this rationale, reinforcing the status quo directive.
Ilma Afroz was appointed SP of Baddi in January last year, where she gained attention for her firm actions against the drug and mining mafia. Her measures, including the challans of trucks linked to influential individuals, led to tensions with a Congress MLA whose wife’s vehicles were among those fined. The conflict escalated, with the MLA filing a privilege motion in the assembly accusing Afroz of spying.
The tension culminated in Afroz being transferred to the police headquarters in Shimla upon returning from leave in December. The move sparked public debate, with many perceiving it as an unfair decision influenced by political pressure.
The petitioner, Sucha Ram, filed a plea urging the court to reinstate Afroz as Baddi’s SP, emphasizing her pivotal role in tackling organized crime in the region. The petition argued that her transfer undermined efforts to combat illegal activities and was unjustified.
The court’s decision to maintain the status quo ensures Afroz’s position as SP Baddi remains intact for now, pending further legal proceedings.
