Himachal CM's Media Advisor Slams Delhi Police Over Shimla Detention Incident
Naresh Chauhan, the Principal Advisor (Media) to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, issued a strong condemnation on Thursday against the Delhi Police for their recent detention of three individuals in Shimla. Chauhan emphasized that this was not a trivial matter but a serious issue requiring strict adherence to legal procedures.
Violation of Established Protocols
According to news agency ANI, Chauhan stated, "This was not a drama but a serious issue. The way Delhi Police entered Himachal Pradesh to arrest three people - it should have happened according to the law. The first requirement for taking such an action is to give prior intimation to the police of the specific state...No laid down protocols were followed by the Delhi Police."
He further elaborated that the Shimla Superintendent of Police and Himachal Pradesh Police raised objections to the operation. "Delhi Police, without any FIR, went and detained three people. Our police teams forced them to follow the laid down procedures, like conducting medical examination of those arrested and obtaining their transit remand. The way Delhi Police wanted to operate was completely wrong," Chauhan added.
Incident Details and Police Response
The controversy stems from an incident at Chirgaon, Shimla, where three individuals were taken away by persons in civilian clothes driving vehicles with out-of-state registration numbers. Initially reported as a daylight abduction at a local resort, the situation escalated into a multi-district police intercept.
Shimla Police received an emergency call on the morning of February 25, 2026, from Chanshul Resort in Chirgaon. The resort owner reported that a group of men in civilian clothes, driving out-of-state vehicles, had forcibly taken three guests and removed electronic equipment, including a Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
Shimla Police promptly initiated legal action to ascertain the facts and ensure all procedures were followed according to the law. Acting in coordination with Solan Police, teams intercepted the individuals at multiple locations, including Shoghi, ISBT Shimla, and Dharampur.
Revelation and Legal Proceedings
Upon verification, it was revealed that the group comprised police personnel from Delhi and Haryana who had followed and taken custody of the three individuals in connection with a case registered in Delhi. The case is linked to a protest by Indian Youth Congress workers at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
The detained individuals were produced before the competent local court, and they underwent medical examination at Ripon Hospital, Shimla, as per established legal procedures. The ACJM-II Court, Shimla, granted transit remand of approximately 18 hours. After completion of all statutory formalities and verification, Delhi and Haryana police were permitted to proceed to Delhi with the concerned individuals.
Ongoing Investigation
Meanwhile, FIR No. 18/2026 dated 25/02/2026 was registered at Police Station Chirgaon on the complaint of the resort owner, and the investigation is ongoing. The incident highlights the importance of inter-state police coordination and adherence to legal protocols to prevent such controversies.
The statement from Chauhan underscores the tension between state and central police forces, emphasizing the need for proper communication and procedural compliance in cross-jurisdictional operations.
