Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued an order to the state government to submit a panel of three IPS officers for the appointment of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Baddi, reports the ETV Bharat. The court, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s response on Thursday, has scheduled further hearing for Friday, January 10.
The case pertains to IPS officer Ilma Afroz, who served as SP Baddi and gained recognition for her strict actions against drug cartels and illegal mining activities in the region. Despite her achievements, Afroz went on extended leave in November 2024, leading to public concern and legal proceedings.
The High Court rejected the state government’s claim that the transfer of Ilma Afroz was made at her own request. The court has now mandated the submission of a panel of three IPS officers for the SP Baddi position, leaving the final decision to be made based on merit.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Satyen Vaidya, emphasised the urgency of the matter and instructed the state government to present the panel by Friday.
A resident of Kundarki village in Moradabad, Ilma Afroz is a 2017-batch IPS officer of the Himachal cadre. During her tenure in Baddi, she earned public appreciation for her efforts in curbing the influence of drug mafias and illegal mining operations. The region, being a border area, has long struggled with law-and-order issues, which saw significant improvement under her leadership.
Her sudden leave and subsequent delays in reappointment raised concerns among the public and led a Baddi resident to file a petition, highlighting her effective governance. The petitioner argued that Afroz’s leadership had instilled a sense of safety in the region, and her absence could lead to a resurgence of illegal activities.
Citizens from Baddi have rallied behind Ilma Afroz, urging her reinstatement as SP. According to the petition, her leadership was pivotal in maintaining law and order, particularly in tackling the menace of narcotics and illegal mining.
In November 2024, Ilma Afroz went on leave, citing personal reasons, and later reported back to duty at the Shimla police headquarters in December. However, her position remains undecided. The High Court’s intervention aims to resolve the matter and ensure an effective law enforcement officer is appointed in Baddi.
The High Court will resume the hearing on the matter on January 10, 2025, after reviewing the panel submitted by the state government.
