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Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said the Governor's office would be given due respect and any communication from Raj Bhavan would be considered appropriately. His remarks came amid a controversy over the suspension of a Himachal Pradesh Police constable who had approached the Governor's Secretariat regarding his transfer.

 

Sukhu said no police employee could be suspended without due process and that disciplinary action would be taken only under service rules. The police department, meanwhile, maintained that the suspension and inquiry were linked to allegations of indiscipline, disobedience of official orders and attempts to influence postings.

The suspended constable, Dinesh Kumar, was an important prosecution witness in the custodial death case of Suraj, an accused in the 2017 Kotkhai rape and murder case.

Police records show that the matter reached the Director General of Police after the Governor's Secretariat forwarded a communication relating to a complaint submitted by the constable.

In his representation to the Governor's office, Dinesh Kumar reportedly stated that although transfer orders had been issued, he had not been relieved from his existing posting and was therefore unable to join his new assignment.

 

However, when he later appeared before the Police Headquarters, he reportedly sought a posting with the Raj Bhavan Guard so that he could look after his physically disabled son.

 

According to Police Headquarters, the two requests appeared inconsistent. Officials said if he was seeking a compassionate posting, he should have followed the prescribed departmental process instead of approaching different authorities with different representations.

The department described the alleged conduct as inappropriate for a member of a disciplined force and placed the constable under suspension pending a regular departmental inquiry.

Police said the inquiry would determine whether Dinesh Kumar attempted to influence the transfer process by presenting different versions of his case before different authorities and whether further disciplinary action is required.

Dinesh Kumar's family, however, rejected the department's stand and alleged that he was being targeted because of his role in the Suraj custodial death case.

 

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Dinesh Kumar's brother Suresh Shandilya and his mother claimed he had been facing harassment since 2017 for refusing to change his statement before the CBI during the investigation.

 

The family said Dinesh Kumar was on duty when Suraj died in custody and later became a key witness in the CBI case. They alleged that he was pressured to support senior police officers but chose to testify truthfully in court. According to them, his testimony contributed to the conviction of eight police personnel, including a former Inspector General of Police.

Suresh Shandilya further alleged that Dinesh Kumar was suspended in 2017 after giving his testimony. Although he was reinstated about six months later, the departmental inquiry against him has remained pending for nearly nine years, affecting his promotion and other service benefits.

The family also claimed that despite assurances that he would be accommodated at his home station, he was transferred five times in the last one-and-a-half months, even after informing authorities about his son's medical condition.

They alleged that whenever he sought relief from senior officers, he was subjected to abusive language and mental harassment. According to the family, the prolonged stress severely affected his mental health and even pushed him towards suicidal thoughts. The family claimed that disciplinary proceedings were initiated only after he approached the Governor's Secretariat regarding his posting.

Displaying several commendation certificates, they maintained that Dinesh Kumar had an exemplary service record and accused the department of unfairly targeting him.

 

His mother appealed to the government to ensure his safety and provide him with a suitable posting. The family said they had approached the Chief Minister, Governor, Home Department and Director General of Police seeking an independent inquiry. They added that they would move the High Court, National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court if necessary.

Responding to the allegations, Shimla Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh issued a detailed clarification and said the family's claims against the department were incorrect. According to the SP, the matter stems from an incident that took place on April 30, 2026, at Kalra Dhar near the boundary of Kupvi and Chopal police station areas.

A complaint was filed against the then SHO of Chopal and Constable Dinesh Kumar. An inquiry conducted by the SDPO, Theog, who also held additional charge of SDPO Chopal, reportedly found allegations of misconduct with local residents.

 

The inquiry also recorded allegations that money and personal belongings had been taken from complainants and that they had been threatened with false criminal cases. The inquiry report was submitted to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shimla, on June 6, 2026.

Based on the findings, the SSP issued a show-cause notice to the then SHO on June 7. The SP said no such notice was issued to Dinesh Kumar at that stage, although his conduct was also found to be questionable. Instead, he was temporarily deployed from Chopal to Nankhari Police Station, which the department described as a deployment and not a formal transfer.

According to the police, Dinesh Kumar did not report to Nankhari as directed and joined only on June 21, nearly two weeks later.

 

Meanwhile, the former SHO of Chopal was attached to Police Lines, Kaithu, as part of departmental action.

 

The SP further alleged that Dinesh Kumar had spent nearly five years at Chopal and repeatedly attempted to influence senior officers to secure a posting of his choice.

 

Taking his family circumstances into account, the department said he was posted as Naib Court at Theog on July 9, a station it described as his preferred choice. He joined there on July 17.

However, police alleged that even after joining, he continued trying to secure a permanent posting with the guard unit in Shimla and misrepresented facts before senior officers.

 

The department said his suspension was ordered because of repeated violations of departmental directions, delayed joining and what it described as indisciplined conduct.

 

Police maintained that the inquiry is being conducted in accordance with service rules and principles of natural justice and that the constable will get a full opportunity to present his defence. The department also reiterated that all police personnel are required to follow service rules and lawful orders.

 

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Sukhu said disciplinary matters involving police personnel are governed strictly by service rules. He said no employee could be suspended arbitrarily and that the Director General of Police would examine the matter before any action is taken in accordance with the rules.

The Chief Minister also stressed that the government respects the constitutional position of the Governor and would give due consideration to any communication received from Raj Bhavan.

 

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur criticised the suspension, saying every government employee has the constitutional right to seek redressal of grievances. He said suspending an employee merely for approaching the Governor was unfortunate and reflected intolerance on the part of the government.

 

Also read: Women constables accuse senior officer of harassment