DIG Sanjeev Gandhi questions NSG findings, alleges conspiracy by Police leadership to discredit investigations

The escalating confrontation within the Himachal Pradesh Police has taken another turn, with DIG Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi questioning the credibility of the National Security Guard (NSG) investigation into the 2023 Middle Bazaar explosion in Shimla and alleging that the intervention of the central security agency was used as part of a conspiracy to undermine his investigation and professional standing.

Gandhi has opened a fresh public front against successive police chiefs, accusing former DGP Sanjay Kundu, former DGP Atul Verma, incumbent DGP Ashok Tiwari, Shimla SP Gaurav Singh and former Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, besides other serving and retired officials, of targeting him through departmental proceedings, allegedly motivated investigations and attempts to obstruct sensitive criminal cases.

The controversy has its roots in several investigations handled by Gandhi during his tenure as Shimla SP and later in the CID. His allegations cover the Middle Bazaar explosion, the Nishant Sharma controversy, the death of HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, the police recruitment paper leak, alleged drug syndicate connections involving the DGP office, leakage of confidential CID documents and certain property-related investigations.

Middle Bazaar blast and NSG controversy

The July 18, 2023 explosion at Himachali Rasoi in Shimla’s Middle Bazaar killed two persons and injured several others. Gandhi, then Shimla SP, initially attributed the explosion to LPG leakage on the basis of preliminary forensic findings.

Also read: NSG commando cordon off Shimla food eatry blast site on Sunday

The State Forensic Science Laboratory at Junga subsequently reported that the explosion was caused by LPG leakage. Police also stated that no detonator, timer or other components generally associated with an explosive device had been recovered from the site. Two commercial LPG cylinders recovered from the premises were reportedly found leaking.

However, the National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC), functioning under the NSG, examined the evidence and submitted a report in November 2023 indicating that a high explosive had caused the blast, contradicting the state forensic laboratory’s findings. Following this divergence, the investigation was transferred to the CID for further examination.

Gandhi has now questioned the credibility of the NSG findings and alleged that former DGP Sanjay Kundu and senior officers in the police headquarters attempted to project an LPG explosion as a terrorist attack by introducing an RDX angle. He has alleged that the central agency’s intervention was manipulated to create suspicion around the investigation conducted by Shimla police.

The distinction between the two forensic findings remains central to the controversy. The publicly reported NBDC finding referred to a high explosive, while the state laboratory attributed the explosion to LPG leakage. Gandhi maintains that subsequent investigation did not substantiate the allegations used to question his work. His allegation of manipulation of the NSG, however, has not been independently established.

Another major confrontation involved businessman Nishant Sharma, who had alleged threats to his life and implicated then DGP Sanjay Kundu and other influential persons.

The controversy intensified after Sharma complained of an alleged attack near McLeodganj in October 2023. During the investigation, Gandhi, as Shimla SP, examined the circumstances surrounding the complaint and the alleged connections between the parties.

The matter reached the Supreme Court, which directed the constitution of an independent SIT that would not report to the DGP. Gandhi’s investigation also brought into focus telephone communications between Kundu and persons associated with the business dispute.

In July 2026, the Himachal Pradesh High Court accepted the SIT’s findings that the investigation had been fair and comprehensive and closed its monitoring proceedings. The court found no evidence of mala fides or investigative lapses in the SIT probe. The findings of the independent SIT, rather than Gandhi’s allegations against Kundu, formed the basis of the court’s decision.

Gandhi has cited his handling of the controversy as an example of his professional approach to sensitive investigations.

The most serious institutional confrontation emerged in the investigation into the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL).

Negi went missing on March 10, 2025, and his body was recovered in Bilaspur on March 18. His family alleged harassment by senior officials and demanded an independent investigation.

Also read: Vimal Negi death case: Himachal High Court confirms bail to IAS Officer Harikash Meena

Gandhi headed the SIT constituted to investigate the case. However, then DGP Atul Verma submitted a status report before the High Court raising serious concerns about the manner and impartiality of the investigation.

The High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI on May 23, 2025. Gandhi subsequently accused the DGP of filing a misleading affidavit and attempting to discredit the SIT investigation through an allegedly motivated communication.

He challenged the adverse observations affecting his professional integrity through a Letters Patent Appeal. The Division Bench subsequently granted partial relief to Gandhi, clarifying that his professional standing and that of the SIT members should not be undermined, while retaining the decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI.

Verma, meanwhile, had recommended disciplinary action against Gandhi, accusing him of making unsubstantiated allegations against senior government functionaries.

Gandhi also alleged that confidential documents relating to an internal CID investigation were unlawfully accessed and leaked to the media.

In February 2025, an FIR was registered at Chhota Shimla police station against unknown persons over the alleged theft and circulation of confidential CID documents. The complaint alleged that certain CID personnel had accessed, copied and circulated official records to damage the reputation of the department and government.

Gandhi subsequently alleged that members of the personal staff of the DGP were suspected of having links with the Sanjay Bhuria gang, which he described as being involved in drug trafficking. He claimed that the investigation into the alleged drug network had exposed connections requiring further scrutiny.

He accused the DGP office of attempting to interfere with the investigation and create pressure on officers pursuing the case. These allegations have not been independently established.

Gandhi has also referred to his role in the investigation into the Himachal Pradesh Police constable recruitment paper-leak scandal.

The recruitment examination controversy involved interstate networks of middlemen and candidates. The investigation resulted in the arrest of numerous accused, and a chargesheet was filed against 91 persons in the initial phase.

Gandhi has maintained that he recorded dissent over aspects of the investigation and that his position on accountability within the police recruitment process subsequently contributed to his differences with senior officers.

The recruitment scandal had also prompted the police headquarters to direct the SIT to examine the possible involvement of police personnel in the examination process.

Gandhi has further alleged interference in the investigation involving Vinay Aggarwal, who was booked in connection with alleged extortion activities in the state’s industrial areas. He claimed that an allegedly misleading report was prepared at the instance of then DGP Atul Verma.

He also referred to the Ramakrishna Mission property dispute in Shimla, alleging that former Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena had attempted to influence the investigation. Gandhi claimed that he was called to the Chief Secretary’s office and advised against pursuing the case in the manner in which it was being investigated.

The DIG has additionally referred to the Brahma Samaj property dispute and alleged attempts to shield persons accused of occupying temple property. He has also accused political representatives, including BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma, of targeting him over investigations involving alleged horse-trading and the circulation of court proceedings.

The latest confrontation has intensified following two FIRs registered against Gandhi in October 2026 over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as Shimla SP.

One case concerns alleged diversion of approximately Rs 2.35 lakh from a district police fund, following a complaint by a constable over non-payment of reimbursements. The second concerns alleged irregular expenditure of Rs 14.07 lakh on repairs to his official residence without requisite approvals. Gandhi has rejected the allegations and described the action as a witch-hunt.

He has also faced repeated transfers during 2026, including his latest appointment as Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh General Industries Corporation.

Reacting to the latest developments, Gandhi has said he would prefer to resign rather than compromise with the interests of criminal investigations and the justice system. He has maintained that his ongoing investigations, including the alleged leakage of confidential CID communications, would continue without compromise.

The confrontation has brought into public view an unusual institutional crisis involving successive police chiefs, investigating officers, senior bureaucrats and political representatives. While Gandhi has portrayed the developments as a campaign against investigative independence, the police establishment has previously rejected his allegations as unsubstantiated and inappropriate.

The controversy now raises questions about the functioning of internal accountability mechanisms, the independence of criminal investigations and the manner in which disagreements within the police hierarchy are being addressed.