IPS Bungalow controversy puts internal police divisions under spotlight -

IPS Bungalow controversy puts internal police divisions under spotlight

Shimla, June 20

Himachal Pradesh Police, the agency entrusted with maintaining law and order and resolving public disputes, has once again found itself at the centre of controversy as an accommodation dispute involving a senior IPS officer has reignited debate over alleged factionalism within the force.

The latest row erupted after the Police Headquarters issued a notice to DIG (Traffic, Tourism and Railways) Sanjeev Gandhi, former Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla, directing him to pay damage charges of Rs 1.80 lakh for allegedly overstaying in the government residence earmarked for the Shimla SP.

According to the notice issued by the office of the Director General of Police (DGP), Gandhi relinquished charge as Shimla SP on February 7, 2026, following his promotion as DIG. Under the rules, he was entitled to retain the accommodation until March 7. Since the residence was not vacated thereafter, his occupation was treated as unauthorized.

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The notice states that despite being served with directions to vacate the premises, Gandhi continued to occupy the residence. Consequently, damage charges were imposed under Rule 18A of the Himachal Pradesh Allotment of Government Residences (General Pool) Rules, 1994. The amount has been calculated for the period from March to May 2026, and further charges would continue to accrue until the residence is vacated. The notice also warns of salary recovery and possible eviction proceedings under the Himachal Pradesh Public Premises and Land (Eviction and Rent Recovery) Act, 1971.

Gandhi, however, has rejected the allegations. He said he had not officially received the notice and came to know about it through media reports. Calling the action defamatory, he alleged that it was an attempt to tarnish his image and punish him for his honest work. He further maintained that he had not been allotted alternative accommodation by the government and therefore could not vacate the residence.

The dispute has drawn attention because it comes amid growing murmurs within police circles about a divide between state bonafide and non-state bonafide IPS officers. The issue is not entirely new, but several officers privately acknowledge that differences within the senior ranks have become increasingly visible in recent years.

There have been allegations that some “blue-eyed” officers enjoy preferential treatment within the establishment, while others feel sidelined despite seniority and experience. Sources claim that instances of senior IPS officers being publicly contradicted or snubbed by junior-ranked officers during official interactions, including video conferences, have further fuelled resentment within sections of the force.

The controversy has also highlighted the accommodation difficulties faced by incumbent Shimla SP Gaurav Singh, who succeeded Gandhi in February. According to reports, the officer had to either stay at the Police Headquarters guest house in Shimla or commute from Solan while awaiting possession of the official residence designated for the district police chief.

The latest episode follows earlier reports of friction at the top level of the force. A senior IPS officer had previously lodged a complaint alleging misbehaviour by the Former DGP during the course of an investigation, adding to perceptions of unease within the upper echelons of the police hierarchy.

While the immediate issue concerns possession of a government bungalow, the controversy has once again brought into focus deeper questions of rank, influence, cadre identity and administrative authority within the Himachal Pradesh Police. As the dispute unfolds, it has revived discussion on whether internal divisions are beginning to overshadow the cohesion expected from one of the state’s most important institutions.