Ilma Afroz shifted as Lahaul-Spiti SP

The 2018-batch IPS officer and SP, Baddi, Ilma Afroz has been transferred as Lahaul and Spiti SP with immediate effect. With her appointment, Kullu SP Karthikeyan Gokulcharan has been relieved from the additional charge of Lahaul and Spiti SP. A notification regarding her transfer has been issued by the state government here today.

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The action came after the Himachal Pradesh High Court recently rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking immediate posting of Afroz as SP of Police District, Baddi.

In November 2024, Afroz had gone on a 15-day earned leave to visit her ailing mother in her hometown in Uttar Pradesh. During the same time, police department temporary posted 2007-batch Himachal Police Service officer, Vinod Kumar to oversee the police operations in Baddi until Ilma’s return.

However, despite her initial 15-days leave, police department kept on extending her leave tenure after being requested by Afroz. It also gave rise to the speculation that her going on a leave was a result of an alleged rift with a local MLA, a claim which was rubbished by the said MLA. Later on, after being on a leave for over a month, Afroz returned to Himachal Pradesh soon after she was ordered to report to the Police Headquarters in Shimla.

During her absence, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur had also questioned the government for being silent on the matter. Afroz also drew support from veteran leader and former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar who, in a letter written to the incumbent CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, had asked him to clarify his stand in this matter.

Ilma, during her tenue as the Baddi SP, had taken stern action against the illegal mining mafia in Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh (BBN) region.