President Approves Himachal Bill Mandating Govt Sanction Before Arresting Public Servants

The President of India has granted assent to the Himachal Pradesh Police (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which mandates that no police officer can arrest a public servant for acts committed in their official role without prior state government sanction. 

The bill amends Section 65 of the Himachal Pradesh Police Act, 2007, aiming to protect officials from “fear-based hesitation,” as per CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The bill also reforms recruitment and complaint authority mechanisms. The assent follows Supreme Court guidance in April 2024 on timelines for presidential assent.