2018 batch woman IPS officer of Himachal cadre, Ilma Afroz, is in news again as her transfer as Baddi Superintendent of Police (SP) has caused legal battle in the state pushing the government on the back foot.
The state government on Saturday submitted before the division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Satyan Vaidya that Ilma Afroz had herself sought her transfer, leading to her reassignment to the state police headquarters on December 16. The Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) also submitted their replies to the court.
The high court, while hearing a criminal writ petition, had stated in its September 9 order that the Superintendent of Police (SP), Baddi, could not be transferred without the court’s permission.
During her tenure as Baddi SP, Afroz reportedly took strict action against illegal mining, drug-related crimes, and other organised activities. But she proceeded on long leave after she locked horns with the ruling Congress Party MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary on November 7, allegedly under pressure from the state government.
It led one Sucha Ram to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking Afroz’s reinstatement as SP Baddi. The petitioner highlighted a high court order from September 9, which mandated that the officer could not be transferred without the court’s consent. A representation by local residents to the Chief Minister on November 26 also requested her reinstatement, but no action has been taken.
Petitioner Sucha Ram also alleged that Afroz was pressured into taking leave and claimed that law and order in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development area deteriorated after her transfer. The petition also referenced a privilege motion filed by MLA Chaudhary during the Vidhan Sabha’s monsoon session in September, accusing Afroz of breaching his privacy.
Chaudhary, who had previously admitted to a case involving a truck from his firm being challaned by Afroz for illegal mining, denied any involvement in her transfer.
The High Court has now directed the government to produce all relevant documents related to Afroz’s transfer and has scheduled the next hearing for January 9.
