Caste bias against HP DSP: Koli community seeks independent probe

Demand for Independent Investigation

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 24 (ANI): Members of the Koli community and representatives of the family of Himachal Pradesh Police DSP Vijay Raghuvanshi have urged the Governor of Himachal Pradesh to intervene in allegations of caste-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation against the Scheduled Caste officer, seeking an independent investigation into the matter.

A memorandum submitted to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner, Solan, has called for a high-level inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or an independent agency, arguing that the allegations involve senior police and administrative officials and therefore should not be investigated by the same administrative chain whose conduct has been questioned. The representatives have maintained that they are not holding any official guilty before an inquiry and that their demand is for an impartial investigation to establish the facts, determine responsibility and ensure accountability.

Allegations of Harassment and Retaliation

Transfer and Joining Obstruction

According to the memorandum, the matter relates to a series of administrative actions involving DSP Raghuvanshi, beginning with his transfer from Shimla to Paonta Sahib. The state government had issued transfer orders on November 5, 2025, transferring Raghuvanshi to the Paonta Sahib subdivision. The memorandum alleges that although he was formally relieved by the Shimla Superintendent of Police and proceeded to his new place of posting, he was allegedly prevented from assuming charge at Paonta Sahib by a junior Station House Officer. The community has described the alleged obstruction of the DSP from joining his transferred post as an unusual development and has sought an investigation into the circumstances and authority under which the officer was allegedly prevented from taking charge.

Alleged Intimidation by DGP

The memorandum also alleges that Director General of Police Ashok Tewari personally contacted Raghuvanshi through phone and WhatsApp and warned him of serious consequences. The complainants have questioned the legal and administrative basis for such direct intervention by the state’s police chief in a transfer and joining matter and have sought examination of the communications and circumstances surrounding them.

CID Surveillance and Vehicle Withdrawal

Another allegation raised in the memorandum concerns the alleged monitoring of Raghuvanshi’s movements at the CID level. The community has sought details of whether the officer was subjected to any surveillance, who ordered it, what information was collected and under which legal or departmental authority such monitoring, if any, was carried out. The withdrawal of the officer’s official vehicle has also been cited as an important part of the complaint. According to the memorandum, Raghuvanshi’s government vehicle was withdrawn, following which he was allegedly forced to walk nearly six kilometres to his office. The representatives said the incident was reflected in official police records and have sought preservation and examination of the relevant logbooks. The memorandum further alleges that a monthly deduction of Rs 750 towards the official vehicle continued even after the vehicle had been withdrawn. The community has sought an examination of the relevant salary and departmental records to establish whether such deductions continued and, if so, under what authority.

The complainants have also raised concerns about Raghuvanshi’s medical condition, stating that he suffers from coccydynia, a painful condition affecting the tailbone. They have questioned whether his medical condition was taken into consideration while decisions concerning his official transport and working arrangements were made.

Actions Against Family and Colleagues

The memorandum also refers to alleged actions involving Raghuvanshi’s family members and subordinate police personnel. It states that his wife, who was serving as SHO Chhota Shimla, also had her official vehicle withdrawn during her tenure and that the vehicle was restored after she left the post. The community has sought an examination of whether the two incidents were connected or were independent administrative decisions. The representatives have also raised questions over the alleged treatment of ASI Puneet Sharma and Constable Nikhil, whom they describe as important witnesses or personnel who made entries concerning the events. They allege that the two faced disciplinary action, suspension or transfers to distant locations and have demanded an independent review to determine whether the measures were routine departmental actions or retaliation connected with the Raghuvanshi matter.

NCSC Intervention and Demand for Records

The controversy has also reached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, with the community pointing to proceedings initiated under Article 338 of the Constitution. The NCSC has issued notices in connection with the complaint and sought the appearance of senior state officials, including the DGP and Additional Chief Secretary (Home), along with relevant records. The community has expressed concern over the alleged absence of senior officials during commission proceedings and has demanded full cooperation with the NCSC. It has urged the state government to submit all original documents and records sought by the constitutional body without selective omissions.

The representatives have specifically sought preservation of the original transfer orders, joining and relieving records, police station and vehicle logbooks, departmental note-sheets, CID records, relevant communication records and any other documents connected with the allegations. They have also demanded protection for DSP Raghuvanshi, his family members and witnesses against any possible retaliatory action while the matter is under examination. The community has sought an independent review of disciplinary proceedings, suspensions and transfers involving police personnel who may have information relevant to the case.

Justification for SIT and Community’s Stance

The demand for an SIT or an independent agency is based on the community’s contention that a probe conducted within the existing administrative hierarchy could raise questions about its independence, particularly when allegations have been made against senior officials. The representatives said an impartial investigation should determine whether the incidents cited in their memorandum were isolated administrative decisions or formed part of a broader pattern of targeted harassment and discrimination against the officer. They stressed that their objective was not to prejudge the conduct of any police or administrative official but to ensure that the allegations were examined through a transparent process and that all parties were given an opportunity to present their evidence.

The community has warned that if the state administration fails to provide what it considers an independent investigation and adequate constitutional protection to the officer and witnesses, it will launch peaceful and democratic protests outside key administrative offices in Himachal Pradesh. The case has consequently brought renewed focus on allegations of caste-based discrimination within government institutions, safeguards available to Scheduled Caste employees and the mechanisms available for addressing complaints against senior officials. With the matter before the NCSC and the community now seeking a separate SIT or independent investigation, the preservation of official records and the examination of documentary and communication evidence are expected to be central to establishing the facts surrounding the allegations against DSP Vijay Raghuvanshi. (ANI)

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