New SPs for Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Una

In a sweeping administrative exercise aimed at restructuring the state’s law enforcement leadership, the Himachal Pradesh Government on Wednesday ordered the transfer and posting of 17 senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. The reshuffle, implemented with immediate effect in public interest, brings significant changes across four key districts and several strategic wings of the police establishment.

The most prominent development in the reshuffle is the transfer of Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, IPS (2012 batch), who was serving as Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla. He has now been placed at the disposal of the Department of Personnel (DoP), Government of Himachal Pradesh. The move positions him within the core administrative framework of the state, indicating a shift from field policing to a broader governance role.

Following his transfer, Gaurav Singh, IPS (2013), who was earlier heading Solan district as SP, has been posted as the new Superintendent of Police, Shimla. Singh takes charge of one of the state’s most sensitive and high-profile districts.

In Solan, Tirumalaraju S D Varma, IPS (2020), who was serving as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) to the Governor, has been appointed SP Solan.

Mandi district has also witnessed a leadership change. Sakshi Verma, IPS (2014), has been moved from the post of SP Mandi and appointed Superintendent of Police, State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mandi. The responsibility of SP Mandi has been entrusted to Vinod Kumar I, HPPS (2006), who was earlier posted as Assistant Inspector General of Police (Traffic, Tourist and Railways), Shimla.

In Una district, Sachin Hiremath, IPS (2020), has been appointed as Superintendent of Police, Una. Meanwhile, Amit Yadav, IPS (2018), has been directed to report to Police Headquarters in Shimla.

At the higher command level, Abhishek Dular, IPS (2006), has been posted as Inspector General of Police (IGP), Communication and Technical Services. D K Chaudhary, IPS (2008), will take charge as IGP, Armed Police and Training, Daroh.

Soumya Sambasivan, IPS (2010), currently serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Northern Range, Dharamshala, has been given additional charge as Principal of the Police Training College, Daroh. Ramesh Chander Chhajta, IPS (2012), has been appointed DIG, Prisons and Correctional Services.

The reshuffle further includes Rohit Malpani as DIG Cyber Crime and Devakar Sharma as DIG Intelligence and Security, among other postings in vigilance, armed battalions and special units.

The wide-ranging transfers suggest a comprehensive reorganisation of the police structure, impacting district policing, intelligence gathering, cyber monitoring, vigilance operations, training institutions and correctional services.

Administrative observers view the move as an effort to recalibrate policing priorities amid evolving security, cyber and governance challenges in the hill state.

The changes take immediate effect