New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the plea of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjay Kundu who challenged a High Court order for his removal from the post of Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP).
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra on Tuesday took cognizance of the arguments of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Kundu. After this the bench agreed to hear the petition on Wednesday. Rohatgi, defending Kundu, said that the High Court did not listen to the police officer's arguments and on December 26 directed the state government to transfer him to another post.
In its December 26 order, the Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the state government to remove the Director General of Police (DGP) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kangra Shalini Agnihotri so that they would not be able to influence the investigation into a complaint related to threat to the life of a businessman. The complaint was filed by Palampur businessman Nishant Sharma alleging harassment by the police officers.
The apex court initially said that it would hear the petition today itself. Later it took cognizance of Rohatgi's arguments and fixed Wednesday for hearing the petition. After the High Court's order, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh had issued an order to transfer Kundu. He has been transferred to the post of Principal Secretary in the AYUSH Department.
The HC ordered the State government to shift the police officers before January 4, 2024. The businessman had also sought protection, saying that he was unable to live constant fear of life threat.
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