The Himachal Pradesh High Court refused to recall its order for removal of India Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjay Kundu from the post of Director General of Police (DGP) of Himachal Pradesh.
The High Court for Kundu’s removal had last week been stayed by the Supreme Court till the decision on his recall application. The application was heard by the High Court for almost the whole day on January 5.
In the order passed on application by Kundu, the division bench comprising of Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua , saying no case has been made out by him for recall of the order dated December 26.
“The Court said that Should this Court, under the pretext of protecting the reputation of the officers concerned, forget its constitutional responsibility of ensuring fair investigation in the matter?,” asked the Court.
The State Advocate General Anup Rattan had opposed Kundu’s application for recall of the order to remove him from the DGP post.
The High Court on October 26, had ordered the State government to move the DGP and Superintendent of Police (SP), Kangra, to other posts to ensure fair investigation into a businessman’s allegations of alleged threats to him.
The threats were allegedly coming from a retired IPS officer and a senior lawyer. The Court was told that the complainant was getting constant phone calls from the DGP’s office in connection with the dispute.
On the basis of the reports submitted by Superintendent of Police of Shimla, the High Court in its December 26 order recorded that the DGP had been in touch with the business partner of the complainant and had repeatedly tried to contact the latter.