AI Generated pic. Used for indicative purpose only
Delhi police Himachal standoff
Shimla, Feb 25,
In a dramatic inter-state confrontation with far-reaching administrative implications, around 20 Delhi Police personnel were detained by Himachal Pradesh Police on Wednesday after an alleged covert operation in Shimla district triggered a legal and jurisdictional face-off. The development has raised serious questions over intelligence coordination and procedural compliance, particularly within the state’s CID apparatus.
The controversy erupted after a Delhi Police team, reportedly camping in Himachal Pradesh for two to three days, launched a sudden operation in Rohru subdivision, detaining three Youth Congress office-bearers linked to protests during the AI Summit 2026 in Delhi.
However, the operation quickly spiralled into a confrontation when Himachal Police intervened, terming the action “illegal” due to the absence of prior intimation and failure to obtain transit remand from a competent court before attempting to shift the detainees out of the state.
Acting swiftly after receiving inputs, Himachal Police initiated statewide naka-bandi, leading to the interception of the Delhi Police convoy at multiple points.
Two vehicles were stopped at Shoghi near Shimla
Two others were intercepted at Dharampur in Solan district
In an unprecedented move, Himachal Police not only secured the release of the three detained individuals but also took the visiting Delhi Police personnel into custody. All officials were later brought to Shimla and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
Legal Face-Off:
State police officials maintained that the Delhi Police action violated established legal norms governing inter-state arrests, which require:
Mandatory intimation to local police
Production before a local magistrate for transit remand
Delhi Police, however, defended its action, stating that the detainees were wanted in an FIR registered in Delhi and argued that transit remand was not mandatory within 24 hours of detention.
CID intelligence under scanner:
Beyond the legal dispute, the episode has triggered a deeper concern — how an external police team operated within Himachal for days without detection.
The apparent lack of prior intelligence has placed the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under scrutiny, with critics questioning whether the agency was unaware or outmanoeuvred.
While officials described the court proceedings as part of routine legal protocol, the optics of one state’s police detaining another’s personnel have sent shockwaves through administrative and political circles.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.