Former Shimla SP Hit by Second FIR Over Rs 14 Lakh Fund Diversion
Former Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi faces a second FIR for allegedly diverting Rs 14.07 lakh in police funds to his official residence.
The legal troubles for Himachal Pradesh cadre IPS officer Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi have intensified. A second FIR has been registered against the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) over allegations of serious financial irregularities and the diversion of government funds during his tenure as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Shimla.
The Audit Trail: Where Did the Money Go?
The case surfaced following a detailed investigation by an audit committee established by the Police Headquarters. The committee scrutinized expenditures totaling approximately Rs 1.28 crore, which had been allocated between the financial years 2022-23 and 2024-25 for the maintenance and repair of police buildings and the residences of personnel.
The audit revealed a startling pattern: Rs 14,07,392 was recorded as expenditure for 'Southwood', the official residence of the then SP in Shimla. However, the investigation found that the government or Police Headquarters had never sanctioned a specific budget for repairs to that property, nor was there any record of prior permission from the competent authority.
Allegations of Misdirected Funds
The audit report highlights several instances where funds intended for others were allegedly rerouted to the SP's residence:
- The Rampur Diversion: Approximately Rs 2.80 lakh sanctioned for the residence of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Rampur was allegedly diverted to the SP's Shimla residence.
- The Shoghi Barrier Scandal: Rs 2.50 lakh earmarked for a guard post at the Shoghi police barrier was withdrawn under the claim that work was completed in February 2023. This amount was then listed as expenditure for the SP's residence, while the audit found no evidence that any repairs actually took place at the Shoghi post.
- Unauthorized Works: Records showed expenditures of Rs 1.62 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 7.22 lakh in 2024-25 on the official residence without the required approvals or recommendations from the district-level committee.
Impact on Police Personnel
The Himachal Pradesh Police expressed deep concern over the diversion of funds meant for the welfare and basic amenities of police staff. The statement pointed out a grim reality: while funds were allegedly spent on the SP's residence, the Shoghi police post continued to operate out of a container, forcing officers to work under extremely difficult conditions.
Furthermore, for the 2025-26 period, out of 50 proposed works under a budget of Rs 28.67 lakh, 22 were executed. Alarmingly, 13 of these were found to be outside the scope of the originally approved proposals.
A Pattern of Legal Battles
This FIR, registered at the Shimla Police Station on October 22 under Section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), comes just one day after another FIR was filed against Gandhi. The previous case involved allegations of cheating and misappropriation of funds following a complaint by a police constable who claimed he was not reimbursed Rs 1.87 lakh spent on official arrangements.
The Officer's Defense
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi has vehemently denied all allegations, describing the legal actions as a "witch-hunt." He claims that he has committed no wrongdoing and suggests that he is being pressured to remain silent about other alleged wrongdoings within the system.
Career Profile
A 2012-batch IPS officer who entered the service via promotion from the State Police Service, Gandhi served as the SP of Shimla from January 2023 until February 7, 2026. His career includes postings as SP in Kullu, Kangra, and Una, as well as a stint as Commandant of the 1st Himachal Pradesh Armed Police. After being promoted to DIG in January this year, he served as DIG (Traffic, Tourism and Railways) and was recently appointed as the Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Backwards Classes Finance and Development Corporation in Kangra.