‘What I got is far higher than parade, I stood by values, integrity of police dept’

Talking to The Indian Express, the DGP said that it was not the first time that his affidavit was accepted by the court of law on the basis of merits. “Earlier in June-July last year, one of my affidavit filed in the HC in the matter of Palampur-based businessman Nishant Sharma, who alleged threat to his life by the serving and retired police officials, was also accepted by the former Chief Justice,” he said.

The 1991 batch IPS officer, however, declined to reply if he was under pressure to make changes in the affidavit filed in the chief engineer’s death.

When asked about SP Shimla Sanjeev Gandhi’s allegations that his office staff was involved in drug peddling, Verma said, “Who stopped him to act against anyone? Anybody can investigate any allegation. The guilty should be punished.”

On being pointed out that he was not given an official farewell parade, the outgoing DGP said, “ What I received today is far higher than the parade. I stood by the values, integrity and honesty of an institution (police department).”

Elaborating on the affidavit, Verma added that it was prepared in the presence of three senior police officers, including two of ADGP rank. “If somebody has a problem with it then he/she can challenge it in the court of law,” he said.

He, however, chose not to comment when asked why he was being sent on leave and why his recommendation to suspend the Shimla SP was not accepted. “You should ask these question to the state government,” he said.

A senior police officer said, “Although Verma was given a customary farewell in the police headquarters, the farewell parade and the official farewell party was not organised due to certain reasons. All senior police officers posted in the headquarters were present at the moment when DGP Verma left the police headquarters.”

Verma along with Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Onkar Sharma and Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi were asked to proceed on leave with immediate effect reportedly due to the fallout of their contradictory replies filed in the HC pertaining to the HPPCL chief engineer death case. While Verma and Sharma proceeded on casual leave, Gandhi went on medical leave.

Meanwhile, state government Saturday ordered DGP (Vigilance and ACB) Ashok Tiwari, 1994 batch IPS officer, who is already looking after the additional charge of DGP Himachal Pradesh, will also take charge of DGP (Head of Police Force) with immediate effect. ADGP (Law & Order) Abhishek Trivedi, a 1996 batch IPS officer, was given the additional charge of ADGP (Prisons department) on Saturday.

DGP’s order withdrawn

Hours after outgoing DGP Atul Verma issued recommendation of DGP Disc Award-2024 for 172 police personnel, officiated DGP Ashok Tewari withdraw the order with immediate effect on Saturday. The communication issued from the office of DGP Ashok Tewari states, “The order issued regarding awarding of DGP Disc to the officer/officials is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect.”