Rare arrangement sees ASP handling SP (vigilance) duties in Himachal
DGP's order cites frequent leave by IPS officer; move termed unusual
In a surprise administrative move, Director General of Police Ashok Tewari has given additional charge of the post of Superintendent of Police (SP), State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB), Dharamsala, to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Braham Das Bhatiya, with immediate effect.
The post is currently held by IPS officer Aditi Singh. The order, which is being described as unusual, has gone viral on social media. According to the police headquarters, the decision has been taken in view of the frequent leave availed by the officer in recent months.
As per the order issued by the DGP, Bhatiya will not only perform the duties of the SP during Aditi Singh’s absence but will also remain associated with her even when she is on duty. The DGP stated that the arrangement had been made to ensure that the functioning of the SP, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Dharamsala, office does not get affected under any circumstances.
The 2021-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, who has been serving as SP, SV&ACB since November 2025, remained on leave between January 8 and February 22 this year for about 25 days.
In the order, the DGP noted that it had been observed that Aditi Singh, presently posted as SP in the Northern Range, Dharamsala, had been taking frequent leave over the past few months, adversely affecting the functioning of the SP, SV&ACB office.
Detailing the leave record, the DGP stated that the officer was on two days of casual and sick leave from January 8 to 11, followed by another casual leave on January 12. She again availed three days’ casual leave and one day’s sick leave from January 16 to 19. Thereafter, she took 13 days of earned leave and two days of sick leave from February 8 to 22.
The order further mentioned that the officer had also remained away for about a week in December 2025, when she attended a Mid-Career Interaction programme between Armed Forces and Civil Service Officers held at the Dr RS Tolia Uttarakhand Academy of Administration in Nainital, Uttarakhand.
The decision has triggered discussions within official circles as well as on social media, given the rare nature of such an arrangement in the police hierarchy.
