New Delhi: Ilma Afroz, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, has been sent on long leave allegedly as a result of a dispute with Doon Congress MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary. According to reports, SP Afroz had issued challans against vehicles associated with Chaudhary. The MLA, however, has denied any role in her leave, which started 6 November.
Sources say tensions between Chaudhary and Afroz, known for her commendable work in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh area, have been simmering for some time.
The issue reportedly began on 4 August when Afroz, known for her firm stance against illegal sand mining, issued a challan to a vehicle used for mining belonging to the MLA’s wife Kuldeep Kaur. She was fined for illegal mining activities in the Baddi-Doon area, according to police sources. The police had conducted a raid leading to the seizure of machinery used for unauthorised mining.
Afroz has also had confrontations with other individuals close to Chaudhary.
In September, the MLA had filed a privilege motion against her in the Assembly.
Speaking to ThePrint, a source in the Himachal Police said that when SP Afroz arrived in the district, she was advised to meet Kaur for a peaceful stint here. However, she chose not to follow this advice.
“MLA Ram Kumar and his wife are influential figures in the area, often seeking police favour for their business dealings. However, SP madam did not entertain them and the result is evident to all,” the source said.
Sand mining is common in the Doon area, with challans issued often for unapproved activities.
“Ilma Afroz has earned a reputation for her focused efforts to curb illegal activities in the region, especially in relation to drug trafficking and mining. Her strict enforcement earned her respect but also sparked conflicts, particularly with MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary. Tensions escalated after actions were taken against vehicles linked to his family, leading to a public fallout,” said a Baddi resident involved in local politics on condition of anonymity.
Afroz was preparing for a two-day event at the State Secretariat in Shimla, to be held over 7 and 8 November. However, following meetings with senior police officials Wednesday, she unexpectedly returned to Baddi late that night and packed her belongings.
Chaudhary has dismissed all allegations of him playing a role in Afroz being sent on leave.
“I can’t force her to go on leave. That authority lies with the home department, not me. The chief minister handles that. Many media organisations have linked me to this issue, but these are baseless allegations. My national highway firm handles the vehicles associated with the SPG private limited company, and they are managed by a contractor. I am not involved in any mining activities or vehicle operations,” said Chaudhary to ThePrint.
Afroz has handed over her charge to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and left for her hometown in Uttar Pradesh. “Due to personal reasons, I am going to my hometown, Moradabad. For now, I have handed over my responsibilities to ASP, Baddi,” Afroz said in a statement.
Sources within the police department told ThePrint that plans for Afroz’s transfer are underway, but the Himachal Pradesh High Court has temporarily halted any changes until a status report on a case of sexual harassment in a hotel in Nalagarh is submitted that requires Afroz’s input. More details on her role in the case are not available.
ThePrint reached Afroz via calls. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
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Long-standing tensions with the MLA
Things went south between Afroz and Chaudhary soon after she took over as SP of Baddi in January 2024.
Early in her tenure, an incident unfolded involving a scrap dealer named Ramkishan, who was shot at. It was later revealed that Ramkishan had staged the attack to secure police protection after his application for an All-India Gun License was rejected.
“Ramkishan is a close aide of MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary, and Afroz faced political pressure to cover up the case. She refused to succumb to this pressure and said that she would rather be sent on leave or be transferred,” said a contractor, who works with the government, on condition of anonymity.
In September, MLA Chaudhary moved a privilege motion against Afroz in the Assembly.
Speaking to ThePrint, Chaudhary said, “She had lured my driver and spied on me and my family, violating my privacy. I took lawful action.”
“I have no involvement in her going on leave. Officers take leave, and I don’t know why everyone is making a fuss. I have no information about her leave,” he added.
Meanwhile, local BJP leaders have criticised the Congress MLA, suggesting that Afroz’s actions against illegal activities may have led to her being sent on leave.
“Ilma Afroz was doing excellent work in the region, especially in exposing Ram Kumar Chaudhary’s illegal mining activities. He proposed a privilege motion against her after she issued challans for his vehicles. He is behind her leave. I’ve written to the chief minister urging him not to transfer an officer like her as it would undermine the morale of the police force,” said Paramjeet Singh Pammi, BJP leader and former MLA of Doon.
Ilma Afroz’s education and career
Afroz comes from Kundarki, a small town in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district. At the age of 14, she lost her father to cancer and was raised by her mother.
She graduated with a degree in philosophy from Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College, later receiving a scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. She also spent time as an exchange student at Sciences Po in Paris and traveled to New York to participate in a voluntary service programme in Manhattan. She has also worked at the United Nations (Indonesia).
In 2017, Afroz cleared the UPSC exam with an all-India rank of 217, joining the Indian Police Service (IPS) with the Himachal Pradesh cadre in 2018.
As a probationary officer Afroz was posted in Mandi district, and then as Sub-Divisional Police Officer in Una. She has also served as Superintendent of Police (SP) of State Disaster Response Force. Baddi is her first district as SP.
Afroz’s work had gained attention internationally, with frequent invitations to speak at institutions like Columbia University (2022 and 2023 via video). During her tenure, academics from the University of York, UK, and the London School of Economics (LSE) have also visited Police District Baddi.
Senior officers in Himachal Police say that honest officers often face such challenges.
“This isn’t unusual in the police force. Many officers encounter such challenges throughout their careers, particularly those who are honest and straightforward. Ilma Afroz is one such officer, with a distinguished background and numerous awards for her service. Incidents like these, including sudden transfers, are often part of an officer’s journey. However, the public attention this case has garnered on social media puts pressure on politicians, compelling them to align with the rule of law,” said a senior IPS officer, who wished to not be named.
The district administration is yet to clarify the circumstances surrounding Afroz’s sudden leave. In the meantime, the local police department continues to manage operations in her absence, while speculation grows over whether Afroz will return to her post or be reassigned elsewhere.
With inputs from Saurabh Chauhan
(This is an updated version of the story)
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Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi would not speak up for Ms. Ilma Afroz. He will defend all sorts of crooks and criminals but not honest and upright officers.
Neither would intellectuals from the Left-liberal cabal carry out social media campaigns to support her.
Such is the duplicity of these people.