Shimla: In a significant administrative shake-up, the Himachal Pradesh government has directed three senior officials to proceed on leave. The officials include Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Revenue) Onkar Chand Sharma, Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma, and Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi. This decision follows a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on May 27, 2025, in response to recent controversies and internal discord within the state’s administrative machinery.
Background and Reasons
The immediate catalyst for this action was a press conference held by SP Sanjeev Gandhi, wherein he publicly criticized senior state government officers, including those from the DGP’s office. Such public dissent is rare and has raised concerns about internal conflicts within the police department. Additionally, the Himachal Pradesh High Court recently transferred the investigation into the mysterious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) General Manager Vimal Negi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court’s decision was influenced by concerns over the impartiality of the ongoing investigation and the potential for influence by senior officials.
Interim Appointments During their absence,
the following interim appointments have been made, Kamlesh Kumar Pant will assume the responsibilities of the Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Revenue).Ashok Tiwari, currently serving as the Director-General of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, will take over as the acting DGP until Atul Verma’s retirement on May 31.Gaurav Singh, the SP of Solan, will hold additional charge as the SP of Shimla during Sanjeev Gandhi’s medical leave.
Implications and Next Steps
The state government is reportedly considering issuing show-cause notices to the three officials. These developments underscore the administration’s commitment to maintaining discipline and ensuring the integrity of ongoing investigations. The situation remains fluid, and further actions may be taken based on the outcomes of the CBI investigation and internal reviews.*#HimachalPradesh #AdministrativeShakeUp #LawAndOrder #CBIInvestigation #PoliceReforms #ShimlaNews*
