Probe into Cong MLA’s allegation of breach of privilege: Vidhan Sabha Secretariat seeks IPS Ilma Afroz’s fresh statement

The ACS office directed Afroz to submit her response, which is still awaited, they said.

The Vidhan Sabha Secretariat requested a new statement after finding the officer’s previous statement recorded during the state police investigation had not been accurately documented, they said.

A senior officer at the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat told The Indian Express, “DGP Atul Verma submitted his report on January 25. We found that Afroz’s recorded statement did not meet the required standards for a formal inquiry. We are seeking a proper written response from the officer, which is why the ACS was asked to provide her with a detailed statement. The Vidhan Sabha Secretariat does not communicate directly with individuals or the state government. We always correspond through the office of the ACS.”

Congress Doon MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary had alleged that former SP of Baddi Ilma Afroz attempted to breach his privacy in 2024. Chaudhary lodged a complaint with the privilege committee during the monsoon session in September 2024. The committee directed the DGP to investigate the matter, and the inquiry was subsequently assigned to DIG Abhishek Dullar, who submitted the final report to the Vidhan Sabha on January 25.

Afroz, then posted as the Baddi SP, on January 27, 2023, proceeded on a 15-day earned leave starting November 7, reportedly due to differences with MLA Chaudhary. The MLA, however, denied his involvement in the officer’s sanctioned leave.

However, during her leave, the charge of the Baddi SP was handed over to Himachal Pradesh Police Service (HPPS) officer Vinod Kumar Dhiman on November 14.

Meanwhile, a Baddi resident filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, seeking Afroz’s reinstatement as the SP Baddi.

The petitioner, Sucha Ram, claimed that Afroz was “pressured into taking leave and that law and order in the area deteriorated after her transfer”. The petition highlighted that during her tenure, Afroz took strict action against illegal mining, drug menace, and organised crime in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development (BBND) area.

The plea was dismissed on March 4.

Subsequently, the state government transferred and posted Afroz as the SP of Lahaul & Spiti on March 11.