PIL seeks reinstatement of Afroz as Baddi SP, HC issues notice to home secy, DGP

Afroz, who was posted as Baddi SP, proceeded on a 15-day earned leave starting November 7 amid reports of differences with the Congress MLA from Doon, Ram Kumar Chaudhary. Subsequently, the charge of SP, Baddi was handed over to Himachal Pradesh Police Service (HPPS) officer Vinod Kumar Dhiman on November 14. Afroz is yet to receive a new posting after returning to duty on December 17 at the police headquarters in Shimla.

The PIL, filed by 36-year-old agriculturist Sucha Ram from Dholowal village, Nalagarh, claimed that Afroz was pressured into taking leave and that law and order in the area deteriorated after her transfer. The petition highlights that during her tenure, Afroz took strict action against illegal mining, the drug menace, and other organized crimes in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development (BBND) area.

In the petition, filed through Advocate RL Chaudhary on December 22, Sucha Ram claimed that prior to Afroz’s posting, illegal activities by mining mafias flourished unchecked in the area. The petition further alleges that there are 43 mining crusher units operated by local politicians, MLAs, and others on the border of Solan district near Punjab and Haryana. Police in the area allegedly colluded with these mafias, ignoring directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the high court. Chaudhary contended that the court has directed the Home Secretary and DGP to submit their replies by January 4, 2025.

The petition also includes a high court order from September 9, which directed that the SP, Baddi should not be transferred without the court’s permission. The petition also stated that a representation was made by local residents to the Chief Minister on November 26, requesting Afroz’s reinstatement as SP Baddi. However, the authorities have yet to act on the representation.

During the Vidhan Sabha’s monsoon session in September, MLA Chaudhary filed a privilege motion against Afroz, accusing her of breaching his privacy. The inquiry was assigned to DIG Abhishek Dullar. On November 8, talking to The Indian Express, the MLA had said, “Indeed, the police had once challaned a truck belonging to one of our firms for illegal mining but that matter is settled now. I moved a privilege motion against her for breaching my privacy through my driver. The enquiry is on. I have nothing to do with any police officer’s leave, transfer etc.”

Chaudhary was among six Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs) removed from their positions after the Shimla High Court invalidated the Himachal Pradesh Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Act, 2006, on November 13. Ilma Afroz is a graduate of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a Rhodes Scholar who studied at the University of Oxford, England.