Himachal IPS Officer Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi Faces Second FIR Over Alleged ₹14.07 Lakh Diversion of Police Funds
A second First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, a 2012-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, over alleged financial irregularities involving ₹14.07 lakh in police maintenance funds.
The case was registered at Shimla Police Station on October 22, 2026, following an audit conducted by a committee constituted by the Police Headquarters.
The allegations relate to expenditure on repairs and maintenance at Gandhi’s official residence, known as Southwood, during his tenure as Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla. According to a statement issued by the Himachal Pradesh Police, the audit found that funds allocated for police buildings and personnel residences had allegedly been used for work at the residence without a specifically sanctioned budget or the necessary approvals from competent authorities.
The FIR has reportedly been registered under Section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). It comes a day after another case was registered against the officer over allegations involving cheating, financial irregularities and misappropriation of government funds.The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the registration of an FIR does not establish guilt.
Second FIR Follows Audit of Police Maintenance Expenditure
The audit committee examined approximately ₹1.28 crore allocated for the repair and maintenance of police buildings and official residences during the financial years 2022-23 to 2024-25.
During the review, expenditure amounting to ₹14,07,392 was recorded for repairs and maintenance at Gandhi’s official residence in Shimla. The audit reportedly found no specific budget sanctioned by the state government or Police Headquarters for the work. It also found that the available records did not establish prior permission or approval from the competent authority.
The police department has described the alleged use of funds earmarked for police infrastructure and personnel facilities for other purposes as a serious concern. Such allocations are intended to support essential repairs, maintain official premises and provide basic amenities for police personnel.
The audit findings have now become central to the second FIR, with investigators expected to examine the expenditure records, approvals and circumstances surrounding the reported payments.
Audit Flags Alleged Diversion of Funds From Rampur SDPO Residence
The audit report also raised concerns about money originally allocated for other police facilities that was allegedly redirected towards repairs at the then SP’s official residence.
According to the findings cited in the report, ₹2.80 lakh earmarked for repairs to the residence of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Rampur was allegedly diverted to the official residence in Shimla.
The committee also examined ₹2.50 lakh allocated for repairs to a guard post at the Shoghi police barrier. The amount was reportedly withdrawn on the basis that the work had been completed in February 2023.
However, the expenditure was subsequently shown against repairs to the SP’s residence. The audit reportedly found no evidence that the proposed work at Shoghi had actually been carried out.
These findings have raised questions about whether the funds were used for the specific purposes for which they had been sanctioned. The investigation will need to establish how the expenditure was approved, recorded and executed.
Audit Questions Expenditure and Approval Procedures
The audit also identified expenditure of ₹1.62 lakh during 2023-24 and ₹7.22 lakh during 2024-25 on works at Gandhi’s official residence. According to the report, the relevant records did not contain the required prior approvals and recommendations from the district-level committee for the works in question.
For the financial year 2025-26, a total of 50 works had reportedly been proposed under a budget of ₹28.67 lakh. Records indicated that 22 works had been executed, including 13 that allegedly fell outside the scope of the originally approved proposals.
The audit committee raised objections to expenditure on works that differed from the approved plans. These observations form part of the material cited in connection with the latest FIR, although the precise responsibility for the expenditure will have to be determined through the investigation and applicable legal proceedings.
Shoghi Police Post Reportedly Still Operating From a Container
The condition of the Shoghi police post has emerged as another point of concern in the audit findings. According to the police statement, the post continued to operate from a container despite the proposed repair work. Personnel stationed there were reportedly required to perform their duties under difficult conditions.
The department has expressed concern that money intended to improve essential police infrastructure may instead have been spent on repairs at the official residence of the then SP without the required authorisation.
The issue raises broader questions about financial oversight and the monitoring of funds allocated for police facilities. Ensuring that sanctioned expenditure reaches the intended locations is particularly important where repairs directly affect the working conditions of personnel.
Earlier FIR Involved Alleged Non-Reimbursement of ₹1.87 Lakh
The second FIR was registered one day after another case was filed against Gandhi over allegations of cheating, financial irregularities and misappropriation of government funds.
The earlier case reportedly followed a complaint by a police constable who alleged that he had not been reimbursed ₹1.87 lakh spent on official arrangements.
Gandhi has denied wrongdoing and described the cases as a “witch-hunt”. He has also alleged that he was being pressured to remain silent about wrongdoing.
His allegations and denial form part of the wider dispute surrounding the cases. Neither the allegations against him nor his claims about alleged pressure should be treated as established facts unless supported by findings from the competent authorities.
Who Is Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi?
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi is a 2012-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre who entered the service through promotion from the State Police Service.
He served as SP, Shimla, from January 2023 until February 7, 2026. He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in January 2026 and subsequently received changes in his assignments.
According to the supplied report, Gandhi was most recently posted as Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Backwards Classes Finance and Development Corporation in Kangra, after serving as DIG (Traffic, Tourism and Railways).
His earlier assignments include SP postings in Kullu, Kangra and Una, as well as Commandant of the 1st Himachal Pradesh Armed Police Battalion at Junga in Shimla district.
Earlier Policing Record and Recognition
During his tenure as SP, Kangra, in 2017, Gandhi led operations targeting alleged drug and mining mafias. The report states that he was transferred three times within 15 days following those actions.
In 2022, he received the DGP Disc and Best Administrator Award for his work against the drug mafia. His career has also included involvement in several high-profile cases and controversies, including disputes connected with investigations and alleged irregularities in public recruitment. These episodes have attracted public attention, but they are separate from the allegations concerning police maintenance funds.
Vimal Negi Death Case and Dispute With Senior Officials
In May 2025, Gandhi was heading a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. Negi’s body was found in Gobind Sagar Lake on March 18, 2025.
During the investigation, Gandhi publicly alleged that senior police and administrative officials were obstructing the inquiry. The Himachal Pradesh High Court subsequently transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The episode led to a public confrontation involving Gandhi and senior officials, including former Director General of Police Atul Verma, former DGP Sanjay Kundu and then Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena. The allegations made during that dispute should be distinguished from any findings formally established by the relevant authorities.
Other Controversies During His Career
Gandhi was also associated with a police recruitment committee that raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 recruitment process, which subsequently became the subject of a CBI investigation.
In another controversy, he accused BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma of orchestrating horse-trading during the February 2024 Rajya Sabha election in Himachal Pradesh, when six Congress MLAs cross-voted in favour of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan.
These incidents have placed Gandhi in the public spotlight on several occasions. However, the latest FIR concerns a distinct matter: the alleged misuse of funds allocated for police maintenance during his tenure as SP, Shimla.
Investigation to Examine Alleged Diversion of Funds
The second FIR has brought renewed scrutiny to the use of police maintenance funds and the procedures governing expenditure on official residences and public facilities.
Investigators will need to examine the audit findings, financial records, sanction orders, approvals and the execution of the works in question. The central issue is whether the money was used for its authorised purposes and whether the relevant financial procedures were followed.
For now, the allegations against Gandhi remain unproven. Any determination of individual responsibility will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation and the outcome of the legal process.
