As ‘paralysed’ Himachal govt fails to decide, DGP Kundu moves SC against HC’s removal order
The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: In a significant development, Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjay Kundu has moved the Supreme Court to challenge the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s order to remove him from the post, the directive having come in the case involving harassment allegations levelled by Palampur businessman Nishant Sharma.
In its ruling on December 26, the High Court had asked the Himachal Secretary of Home to remove Kundu and Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri from their posts as both were named by Nishant in his complaints that he had forwarded, among others, to the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the High Court Chief Justice.
While the Himachal government has not decided on the removal of Kundu, he has sought recourse in the Supreme Court. The case is now slated to be listed for hearing in the Supreme Court.
A division bench of Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Jyotsna Rewal Dua had issued the order directing the government to relieve both DGP Kundu and Kangra SP Shalini from their respective posts. The court clarified that its decision was not a comment on the merits of the case but stressed the necessity of shifting these officers to ensure a fair investigation. The petitioner had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the police investigation, contending that impartiality was unattainable as long as Kundu remained the DGP.
Nishant had filed complaints against DGP Sanjay Kundu, accusing him of continuously pressuring him to visit the Shimla office. Nishant claimed despite not being personally acquainted to the DGP, he received persistent phone calls from the DGP’s office. He further alleged a life-threatening attack in McLeodganj shortly after he communicated with the DGP’s office.
In a prior instance, Nishant had written a letter to the Kangra SP, urging the initiation of a case related to an incident. However, according to Nishant, the police did not register any case. In contrast, the Shimla police registered a case against him at the Chhota Shimla police station based on the complaint of the DGP who had alleged he feared harm to his reputation. Fearing for his and his family’s safety, Nishant had also requested police protection.
