Court to Himachal Govt: ‘Wake up from deep slumber’ on NH-5 police deployment
Shimla, Sept 10,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the State government’s delay in deploying adequate police personnel along National Highway-5 in Solan district, one of the busiest stretches of the hill State’s road network.
A division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, while hearing CWPIL of 2023, remarked that despite repeated reminders and recommendations from the Director General of Police (DGP), the government had continued to drag its feet on strengthening cadre positions at Parwanoo and Dharampur police stations.
” Learned Advocate General re-assures this Court that the order passed earlier and the recommendations with the Director General of Police on the basis of which, we disposed of the matter, and then what has been sought to be given in the affidavit dated 14.08.2025, shall be given better considerations,” noted the court.
“Accordingly, we defer the proceedings to 10.10.2025, with the hope that the State will wake up from its deep slumber and realize the importance of posting the requisite number of police officials on the most important Highway of the State ,” the bench observed.
The matter originated over two years ago following a letter by Gram Sudhar Sabha, Koti, highlighting rampant violations of noise and liquor laws in the Jabli area.
During hearings, the Superintendent of Police, Solan, admitted that manpower shortage was the biggest hurdle in ensuring effective monitoring on weekends and festive days. The DGP too, in multiple communications since 2023, had pressed for cadre enhancement, pointing out that staff strength had not been revised since Solan was carved as a separate district.
The observations also come against the backdrop of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s own admission in the Assembly that Himachal’s governance is weighed down by a “top-heavy hierarchy”. Ironically, nearly half a dozen senior IPS officers who have returned from central deputation remain without field postings at Police Headquarters, even as frontline units struggle with shortages.
The High Court will next review the matter on October 10, 2025, after deferring proceedings with the hope that the State finally implements the DGP’s recommendations without further delay
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