Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted interim relief to Ayushi Mishra, a senior Central Government official belonging to the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) and posted in Chandigarh, by directing that no coercive action be taken against her in a criminal case registered in Solan district.
The order was passed by a single-judge bench while hearing Criminal Miscellaneous Petition (Cr. MMO No. 1185/2026), filed by Mishra seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against her. The court has issued notices to the concerned authorities and granted them two weeks to file their replies.
FIR Filed Amid Ongoing Matrimonial Dispute
The case stems from an ongoing matrimonial dispute between Mishra and her husband, IPS officer Gaurav Singh, who has previously served as Superintendent of Police in Solan district. The couple married in 2023.
According to Mishra’s petition, the dispute involves allegations of domestic violence, assault and ongoing divorce proceedings. She has alleged that she was assaulted and threatened by members of her husband’s family. She has also challenged the criminal complaint filed against her, claiming that it was motivated by the ongoing matrimonial litigation.
Mother-in-Law Filed FIR in Solan
According to the petition, Mishra’s mother-in-law, Kiran Devi, lodged FIR No. 101/2025 at Solan Sadar Police Station. The FIR invokes Sections 305, 331(3), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to allegations including theft, house-trespass and criminal intimidation.
Mishra has contended that the allegations are baseless and arose out of the matrimonial dispute. She has sought the quashing of the FIR, arguing that the complaint was filed with a mala fide intention.
Questions Raised Over Jewellery Allegations
One of the key arguments presented by Mishra’s counsel concerns the allegations of jewellery theft. The petition states that during divorce proceedings initiated by her husband before family courts in Agra and Jaipur, it was stated that the jewellery and stridhan were in Mishra’s possession.
Her counsel has argued that the subsequent allegation that jewellery had been stolen from a cupboard at the family’s residence in Solan contradicts the earlier statements.
The petition also alleges that IPS officer Gaurav Singh assaulted Mishra and threatened to kill her with his service weapon. Mishra has claimed that she decided to leave her matrimonial home in Solan to protect herself. These allegations form part of her petition and have not been established as judicial findings.
Delay in FIR Cited by Petitioner
Mishra’s counsel also questioned the timing of the complaint, pointing out that the FIR was allegedly registered around 136 days after the incident in question. The petitioner has argued that the delay, coupled with the ongoing matrimonial proceedings, suggests that the criminal complaint was a retaliatory measure.
The court will consider the submissions as the proceedings progress. The allegations and counter-allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
State Authorities Directed to Respond
The High Court has directed the state authorities, including the Himachal Pradesh Government through the Home Secretary, the Superintendent of Police, Solan, and the Station House Officer of Solan Sadar Police Station, to respond to the petition. Notices have also been issued to the other respondents.
As an interim measure, the court has ordered that no coercive action be taken against Mishra in connection with the FIR while the matter is pending.
The case is scheduled for its next hearing on November 17, 2026. The interim order provides temporary protection to Mishra; it does not, by itself, quash the FIR or determine the merits of the allegations.
