7 Transfers in One Year: IPS Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi Now HPGIC MD
IPS officer Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi gets his seventh transfer of the year, appointed MD of HPGIC amid fund misappropriation FIRs.
In a move that has raised eyebrows across the administration, IPS officer Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh General Industries Corporation Ltd. (HPGIC) in Shimla. This latest appointment marks the seventh time the officer has been transferred since January of this year, adding a new chapter to a whirlwind year of postings.
A Rapid Cycle of Postings
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, a 2012-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, was previously serving as the Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Backwards Classes Finance and Development Corporation in Kangra. His shift to head the HPGIC comes with immediate effect, following an official order issued by Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant.
The government has stated that this transfer was made in the "public interest" based on the recommendations provided by the Civil Services Board. Gandhi takes over the role from Bhupender Kumar, a 2009-batch HPAS officer, who has been relieved of the additional responsibility.
Legal Clouds and Allegations
The frequent movement of the officer comes at a time when he is embroiled in legal challenges. Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against Gandhi concerning the alleged misappropriation of funds. These allegations are linked to his tenure as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Shimla, a position he held from 2023 until February 7, 2026.
While the investigations into these fund misappropriation claims are ongoing, it is important to note that the registration of FIRs does not establish guilt.
Timeline of a Turbulent Year
The trajectory of Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi's career over the last few months reveals a dizzying series of administrative shifts:
- January 2026: Promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) after entering the IPS from the State Police Service. He was subsequently moved from SP Shimla to the Department of Personnel.
- February 9, 2026: Appointed as Managing Director of Milkfed, though he was directed to report back to the Department of Personnel instead of assuming charge.
- March 24, 2026: Posted as DIG (Traffic, Tourism and Railways), a role he assumed the same day.
- October 7, 2026: Transferred to become the Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Backwards Classes Finance and Development Corporation in Kangra.
- Late October 2026: Less than three weeks later, he was moved once again to lead the HPGIC in Shimla.
A Decorated Past
Despite the current controversies and the rapid-fire transfers, Gandhi has a record of recognized service. He was previously known to be close to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and has been honored for his professional achievements. In 2022, he was awarded the DGP Disc and the Best Administrator Award for his aggressive and successful campaign against the drug mafia in Himachal Pradesh.