Two women constables associated with the Himachal Pradesh Police orchestra, Harmony of the Pines, have filed a complaint at the Women Police Station in Shimla. They have accused a senior police officer of mental harassment and a local resident of defamation. Following the complaint, Shimla Police has started a preliminary inquiry.
Constables Deepika Thakur and Kritika alleged that local resident Gopi Jacks made false and defamatory remarks about their recruitment to the police orchestra during a press conference held in Shimla.
The two constables said they were recruited as singers in the police orchestra during 2019-20 through the prescribed selection process. They denied claims that their appointments were linked to suspended Inspector Vijay Kumar.
According to the complaint, remarks targeting Deepika Thakur’s appearance and identity were also made during the press conference. The constables claimed the statements were later circulated on social media, causing them mental stress and harming their professional image.
The complaint also names Commandant Bhupinder Negi. The women alleged that he created an unfavourable working environment in the orchestra after Inspector Vijay Kumar was suspended.
They further claimed that orchestra members were told not to stay in touch with the suspended officer. According to the complaint, they were also warned that their communications could be monitored if they continued to remain in contact with him.
The constables alleged that the commandant claimed he could track mobile phone locations, monitor WhatsApp calls and access private communications because of his earlier service in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). They said such statements were intimidating, violated their privacy and amounted to continued mental harassment.
Seeking legal action, the complainants requested registration of an FIR under Sections 79, 336(4), 61(2) and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against Gopi Jacks, Bhupinder Negi and any other individuals found responsible.
Shimla Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh confirmed that a preliminary inquiry has been initiated into the matter.
Police officials said the complaint is being examined under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. They said the allegations are being verified and further action will be taken based on the findings.
The allegations mentioned in the complaint have not been independently verified.
When contacted, Commandant Bhupinder Negi said he was unaware of the complaint and had no knowledge of the allegations levelled against him.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur described the allegations as serious and urged the state government to take immediate notice of the matter.
"If women police personnel are being mentally harassed and threatened that their phones are under surveillance and they should not communicate with certain officers, the Chief Minister must immediately take cognisance of the matter," Thakur told reporters in Shimla.
The preliminary inquiry is currently underway, and no FIR has been registered so far.
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