Baddi SP transfer case hearing deferred to Jan 9

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has deferred the hearing on a public interest litigation filed for immediate posting of Ilma Afroz as the Baddi Superintendent of Police to January 9.

During the course of hearing, the Additional Advocate General of the state informed the court that the state has filed an application with the relevant documents regarding the fact that the officer concerned herself opted to be transferred from Baddi.

Later, a Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Satyen Vaidya, listed the matter for further hearing on January, 9. In its earlier order, the court had issued notices to the Home Secretary and Director General of Police, seeking their responses on the issue.

It may be mentioned that Baddi SP Ilma Afroz had proceeded on a long leave following an alleged confrontation with the local MLA. She joined on December 16 at Police Headquarters and is awaiting orders to resume duty as the SP.

The petitioner, while urging the high court to issue appropriate orders in the matter, said the posting of Ilma Afroz in Baddi would make the general public feel safe and action would be ensured against drug and mining mafias operating in the area. The petitioner said since Ilma Afroz was posted in Baddi, she had enforced the rule of law and implemented the directions issued by the NGT and orders passed by HP High Court.

The petitioner said as per court’s previous order in a criminal case, SP Ilma Afroz cannot be transferred without the permission of the court. The petitioner further claimed that the SP was forced to go on leave so that no action could be taken against the drug and mining mafias, and, in wider public interest, she should be posted as SP Baddi.