Shimla, Aug 1
Himachal Pradesh Police Headquarters has ordered a special audit into expenditure incurred on repair and maintenance of the official residence of the Superintendent of Police (Southwood), Shimla, between 2022 and 2025, bringing former Shimla SSP and present DIG (TTR) Sanjeev Gandhi under fresh administrative scrutiny.
Police Headquarters has constituted a three-member committee headed by the Deputy Controller (Finance and Accounts) to examine the source of funds, administrative approvals, budget allocations and actual expenditure incurred on the government residence.
The committee has also been asked to verify whether the expenditure was incurred in accordance with prescribed financial rules and procedures and identify any financial irregularities or procedural violations. It has been directed to submit its report within a week.
The inquiry comes months after Police Headquarters served a notice on Gandhi seeking recovery of about ₹1.80 lakh as damage charges for allegedly failing to vacate the official residence after his transfer from Shimla.
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Gandhi had publicly denied the allegations, saying he learnt about the notice through media reports before it was officially served on him, and maintained that no alternative government accommodation had been allotted.
The latest audit has fuelled speculation within police circles that the former Shimla SSP is facing sustained administrative action.
According to sources, records relating to expenditure on the official residence and other administrative matters during his tenure are being scrutinised as part of the inquiry.
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The developments come against the backdrop of reports of growing friction within the Himachal Pradesh Police, where differences among senior IPS officers and sections of the Himachal Police Service (HPS) have frequently surfaced in recent months.
While Police Headquarters has maintained that the audit is aimed at ensuring transparency, financial discipline and accountability in the use of public funds, the timing of the inquiry has led to discussions in police circles, with some viewing it as part of an increasingly visible internal power struggle.
Gandhi has not yet publicly responded to the constitution of the audit committee.
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