The Himachal Pradesh Police Department has directed DIG Traffic, Tourist & Railways (TTR) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi to deposit a damage charge (punitive rent) of more than Rs 1.80 lakh for not vacating the government residence earmarked for SP Shimla within stipulated time.
The department has asked Gandhi to immediately vacate the house with a warning that if the amount is not deposited, it will be recovered from his salary.
Gandhi is a 2012 batch IPS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, promoted from State Police Service (SPS).
According to the notice issued by the Director General of Police (DGP) office, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi is currently staying at the government residence, which is reserved for the Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla.
Gandhi had relinquished the post of SP Shimla on February 7, 2026. Under the Himachal Pradesh Allotment of Government Residences (General Pool) Rules, 1994, an officer is given a period of one month to vacate the residence after transfer or leaving the office.
As per the rules, he had to vacate the accommodation by March 6, 2026, but the rule was not followed.
Consequently, a notice to vacate the residence was issued on 12 May 2026, yet the residence was not vacated. The department then has considered the possession as unauthorised from March 7, 2026.
Penalty imposed on 3,568 square feet of house
According to the notice, the area of the said government residence is about 331.56 square metres (3568.88 square feet). Under Rule 18A, damage charge has been levied at the rate of Rs 18 per square feet per month for unauthorised occupation.
According to the departmental calculations, the damage charge per month is Rs 64,239.87. For the two months of April and May 2026, this amount was Rs 1,28,479.74, while the damage charge was fixed at Rs 51,806.35 for 25 days of March 2026. Thus, a total liability of Rs. 1,80,286.09 has been fixed as on May 31, 2026.
Warning of recovery from salary
The DGP office has clarified in the notice that an amount of Rs 1.80 lakh should be deposited immediately. If not paid, the amount will be recovered from the salary. Apart from that, from June 1, 2026, damage charges will be levied and collected every month until the house is vacated.
Eviction action can also be taken
In the notice, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi has been directed to immediately vacate the government residence and hand over its possession to SP Shimla. The department has warned that eviction proceedings may be initiated under the Himachal Pradesh Public Premises and Land (Eviction and Rent Recovery) Act, 1971 if the orders are ignored. At the same time, other charges payable under the rules will also be recovered.
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