Baddi Superintendent of Police (SP) and IPS officer Ilma Afroz has extended her leave and will not be resuming her duties for another week. The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh government has approved her request, and she is now scheduled to remain on leave until December 5.
Sources confirmed that Ilma Afroz, who had initially gone on leave on November 7 to visit her family in Uttar Pradesh, has extended her absence multiple times. She was initially expected to rejoin duty on November 27, but her latest application for an extension has been granted.
‘Clash’ with MLA leads to controversy
The ongoing leave of SP Ilma Afroz has sparked speculation, particularly in light of her reported disagreements with Doon Congress MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary.
The conflict began when Baddi police, under Afroz’s supervision, issued challans against trucks registered in the name of the MLA’s wife in an illegal mining case. The dispute escalated when Chaudhary accused the SP of surveillance and moved a privilege motion against her in the state Assembly.
Afroz had met with senior officials in Shimla on September 7 but abruptly proceeded on leave shortly thereafter. MLA Chaudhary, however, denied any involvement in the SP’s decision to take leave.
Government comes out with clarification
Amid the controversy, the Himachal Pradesh government issued a statement earlier this week clarifying the situation. A government spokesperson stated that Ilma Afroz was appointed SP of Baddi “out of turn,” as her batch had not yet been eligible for the position. Her leave was attributed to personal reasons, including her mother’s ill health.
The statement also refuted rumors circulating on social media, calling them baseless and contrary to facts. It was noted that before going on leave, Afroz had met with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla, accompanied by her mother, to explain her family situation and request time off.
