TNR News Network
Dharamshala: Dharamshala BJP MLA and five-time MLA Sudhir Sharma has filed a criminal defamation case against Sanjeev Gandhi, the Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) who is currently on leave. The complaint was filed before the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in Dharamshala.
In his petition, Sharma, a Congress-turned-BJP leader with his permanent residence in Rakkar panchayat of Dharamshala tehsil, alleged that SP Gandhi made baseless and defamatory statements against him during a press conference held in Shimla on May 23, 2025.
According to the complaint, Gandhi, while serving as the SP in Shimla, publicly accused Sharma of orchestrating the defection of six Congress MLAs to the BJP in March 2024. Gandhi had reportedly claimed during the briefing that Sharma allegedly bribed the legislators for his own political gain and that the matter was under his investigation.
He further accused Sharma of deliberately circulating a live-streamed clip of a Himachal Pradesh High Court hearing in which Gandhi was reprimanded in connection with the suicide case of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Chief Vimal Negi — proceedings tied to a pending case (CWP No. 6508/2025, Ms. Kiran Negi vs. The State of H.P. & Others).
Sharma’s complaint states that these allegations were “entirely unfounded, reckless and devoid of any credible documentary, electronic or oral evidence.” It emphasises that the live-streaming of the high court proceedings was officially authorised by the High Court and that he had no role in editing, manipulating or misusing the content.
Terming Gandhi’s remarks “defamatory and professionally irresponsible,” Sharma argued that the statements have severely harmed his public image, particularly among his constituents, peers and political associates. “There is no official inquiry or registered case against me in this matter,” he stated in the complaint.
In support of his claims, Sharma has submitted a pen drive containing video footage of the press conference (Annexure C-1) and relevant newspaper reports from leading Hindi dailies, including Dainik Jagran and Punjab Kesri (Annexure C-2). A certificate under Section 63 of the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam-2023 has also been attached.
The complaint asserts that Gandhi’s comments were made without reasonable cause and with the intent to tarnish Sharma’s reputation.
The court has been urged to take cognisance of the complaint, summon SP Sanjeev Gandhi and initiate proceedings against him for defamation under relevant legal provisions.
