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Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Two incidents of assault, two states, one story — abuse of power
Two incidents of assault in two states this week tell the same dismal story: About the rule of law being flouted by the powerful, and of the sense of impunity that makes this a recurring event. In Himachal Pradesh, Anirudh Singh, the state's Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, was booked on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting two officials of the National Highways Authority of India during a site visit. Just a day earlier, in Odisha, an official of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation was dragged out of a grievance redressal meeting that he was presiding over in his chamber and beaten up by a group of individuals, who allegedly demanded that he apologise for misbehaving with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. It hardly matters that a Congress government is in power in Himachal Pradesh and that Odisha is a BJP-ruled state. Similar incidents in different parts of the country over the years are proof that an overblown sense of entitlement in the power-drunk translates into a disrespect for others and the rules of the game, and that it cuts across party and regional lines. These two incidents in Himachal and Odisha, in particular, highlight a disturbing winner-takes-all attitude that stems from the belief that to be in power or to have the patronage of those in power is to be above the law. In a political culture that makes fear and favour its currency, this means that the ruler-subject model, which should have no place in a democracy, becomes routinised. Bureaucrats are partners in administration, not durbaris in the raja's court. Exemplary action must be taken. In Himachal Pradesh, amidst calls for the minister's resignation, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured that the due process of the law will unfold. In Odisha, three of the accused have been arrested, with the BJP suspending the primary membership of five party workers for their alleged involvement in the assault on the BMC officer. In all such incidents that threaten to erode public faith in the rule of law, those found guilty of abusing their position and power must face — and they must be seen to face — the consequences of their actions. Sending out the message that no one is above the law in a democracy is the only way forward.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Himachal Minister Anirudh Singh denies assault allegations with NHAI official, seeks meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 2 (ANI): A day after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Himachal Pradesh's Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh for allegedly assaulting an NHAI official, the minister on Tuesday categorically denied the charges, saying he would fully cooperate with the investigation and face the law. He also accused the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of carrying out 'unscientific and dangerous' construction work across the state, leading to massive damage to lives and property. While addressing the media in Shimla on Wednesday, Singh said he would seek an appointment with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to raise these serious concerns, and demanded a high-level investigation into the working of NHAI and the companies involved in highway expansion in the hill state. 'I will fully cooperate with the inquiry. I believe in the rule of law. But let me also ask who will investigate NHAI's negligence? Who will answer for the loss of lives due to their reckless and unscientific methods?', the Himachal Minister said while addressing the media. The police had registered a case at Dhalli police station against Singh under sections 132, 121(1), 352, 126(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint filed by Achal Jindal, Manager (Technical) at NHAI. The complaint alleges that Singh verbally abused and physically assaulted Jindal during a site visit to Bhattakufer in Shimla district, following the collapse of a five-storey building. According to the FIR, Singh allegedly hit Jindal with a water container inside a house, injuring his head. A second NHAI engineer, Yogesh, was also allegedly assaulted when he tried to intervene. 'First Information Report does not mean I am guilty. Let the police do their investigation. Were there any eyewitnesses? Any photographs? These are deliberate attempts to cover up the bigger issue', Anirudh Singh said. The minister has come up with counter-allegations against NHAI. Calling the charges against him a 'conspiracy,' Singh alleged that the real issue was being buried: the collapse of buildings due to hazardous cutting practices by NHAI and its contractors. 'From Kalka to Shimla, massive slope cuttings up to 125 feet deep are being done. Retaining walls are only 8 to 10 feet high. What kind of engineering is this?. Landslides are happening, people are dying, but NHAI officials are turning a blind eye. There's a nexus between the contractors, central agencies, and some bureaucrats,' he added. Singh said 700 to 800 complaints have been registered against NHAI's construction practices in Shimla alone, yet no serious action has been taken. He also questioned how much additional funding was given to NHAI for slope protection and road safety measures, and demanded a forensic-level investigation into the design and safety protocols of highway projects in Himachal. 'This is not just about compensation. Can you compensate someone who lost their entire home and life's savings with money?. There must be a national policy on road building in hilly regions. We are not against development. But it must not come at the cost of human lives', he said. The controversy erupted after a five-storey building in Bhattakufer collapsed on June 30, damaging property and raising alarm over nearby construction activities. The building owner, Ranjana Verma, has lodged a separate complaint alleging that the road cutting work by NHAI and Gawar Construction Company caused deep cracks in her structure, which collapsed without warning. The police have registered a case under Sections 125 (negligence endangering life) and 324(4) (mischief causing property damage) of BNS against NHAI and the construction firm. 'The four-lane work is going on right beneath my house. Cracks appeared all around due to deep cuts. On June 30, the entire building came down,' Verma stated in her complaint. Following her complaint, police have also confirmed that six more houses in the area have developed structural cracks. The incident has triggered a broader political and institutional backlash. The Central Engineering Services Officers' Association has written to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, seeking protection for its officers and action against the alleged assault. Meanwhile, Himachal Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, who also visited the collapse site on Tuesday, demanded a high-powered committee to monitor all four-lane construction work in the state. 'Cutting is being done at 90 degrees--this is unacceptable in a hill state. I will personally raise this issue with Nitin Gadkari ji,' he said. Anirudh Singh, meanwhile, insisted that NHAI and its officials must not be allowed to 'walk away' from their responsibilities. 'The NHAI officers cannot escape blame. The system has failed--from Delhi to the field. Forest, pollution, and highway departments are not doing their job. Accountability must start from the top,' he said. 'I have spoken to the Chief Minister in detail and will meet Nitin Gadkari to demand a strong law to prevent such tragedies.' Singh alleged that some officials tried to manipulate the situation by filing misleading reports and not responding swiftly. 'There were eight buildings marked unsafe. Why was no timely action taken? Even when residents warned that more collapse was likely, NHAI said they would 'compensate.' Is that enough?' he asked. The Dhalli police confirmed that the investigation into both cases, one against the minister and one against NHAI, is underway. (ANI)
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Overwhelmed by support, including from Nitin Gadkari', says NHAI manager ‘assaulted' by Himachal minister
Two days after he was allegedly assaulted by Himachal Pradesh minister Anirudh Singh after a multi-storeyed building collapsed at Chamyana in Shimla amid road construction in the area, NHAI manager Achal Jindal, 30, said he wished to head to his hometown in Delhi for some time. It is alleged that the building collapsed due to ongoing four-lane construction work carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the area. Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh had visited the site along with other officials. Jindal claimed that he and Yogesh Verma, 24, a site engineer with NHAI, were called by the minister for a meeting but were instead assaulted. Speaking to The Indian Express over the phone on Wednesday, the NHAI manager said, 'I was overwhelmed by the support I received after the attack—even from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari… I didn't expect it. Although I have not received any adverse messages or calls since lodging the FIR (First Information Report), I want to go to my home in Delhi for some time,' he said. Jindal – who reportedly suffered a head injury in the incident – said, 'I don't want to talk much about the incident as doctors have advised me complete rest.' A 2017-batch officer of the Indian Engineering Service, Jindal has been posted in the Shimla region since 2024. Prior to this, he served in Amritsar. He holds a BTech degree from IIT (BHU) in Varanasi from where he graduated in 2016. A senior NHAI official of project director rank said, 'Achal Jindal is married and was blessed with a daughter in December last year. After the attack, his parents and in-laws rushed from Delhi to Shimla, where he lives with his wife and daughter in the Chakkar area. We have also advised him not to speak much. He is an energetic and completely honest officer. He was transferred from Amritsar to Shimla in 2023.' Yogesh Verma, a resident of Junga in Shimla, reportedly sustained partial hearing loss, besides other internal injuries, in the attack. Both Jindal and Verma have since been discharged from the hospital. A police officer stated, 'Their medical-legal reports (MLRs) are awaited.' Meanwhile, the Shimla district police have registered an FIR against Jindal and Verma for allegedly misbehaving with and assaulting members of the Chamyana gram panchayat. The FIR was filed based on a complaint by Nihal Thakur, a gram panchayat member.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Himachal Minister denies assault allegations, demands probe into NHAI's negligence after building collapse
CHANDIGARH: A day after a case was registered against Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh for allegedly assaulting and threatening two officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the minister has denied the allegations and demanded a high-level inquiry into alleged irregularities in road construction in the state. Singh, addressing the media on Tuesday, claimed that the First Information Report (FIR) against him was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the Bhattakuffar building collapse in Shimla, which he alleged occurred due to the NHAI's negligence and excessive hill-cutting during ongoing construction. He strongly denied all allegations, stating, 'A case does not make one guilty.' The minister alleged widespread malpractice and corruption among NHAI officials, accusing them of colluding with private contractors and using substandard materials. He claimed that over 700 complaints have been submitted to Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Deputy Commissioners in Shimla alone, but no concrete action has been taken.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Himachal Pradesh minister booked for ‘assaulting' NHAI officials: Who is Anirudh Singh?
Not a stranger to controversies, three-time Congress MLA and Himachal Pradesh Minister Anirudh Singh yet again finds himself at the centre of a row after being booked for allegedly assaulting two National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials over the collapse of a multi-storey house following heavy rains. On Wednesday, Singh denied the allegations and maintained that NHAI officials had lodged a complaint against him only to cover up their negligence. 'At least 700 complaints are pending against NHAI employees and officials for damaging private properties under the garb of widening roads across the state,' he said. A scion of the erstwhile princely state of Koti, till recently, Singh was considered one of the contenders for the post of state Congress chief. However, insiders said he was unlikely to helm the state unit as the party is keen to elevate a Dalit leader. The 48-year-old Singh, whom Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu wanted in his Cabinet and was given the key Rural Development and Panchayati Raj portfolio, completed his schooling in the prestigious St Edward's School in Shimla. A graduate from Himachal University, he began his political career with the Youth Congress in 1998. In 2011, he was elected Zila Parishad member from Chamyana, incidentally the place where he allegedly assaulted the NHAI officials. Chamyana falls under the Kasumpti Assembly seat that Singh has retained since winning it for the first time in 2012. Ahead of his induction into the Cabinet in 2022, Singh was appointed All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and was made the party's co-incharge for Assam in 2021. A political firebrand, Singh is known for making statements that appear to go against the party line. After the Sanjauli mosque row erupted last September, he vocally advocated for the rights of Himachalis on the floor of the House, 'People from one community have been living in large numbers for a long time in areas such as Nahan, Chamba, Paonta Sahib, and Kasumpti. No such incidents happened in the past. We need to find the reason why they are occurring now. New people are entering the state. Koi Jamaat wale aa rahe hain, jinka koi ata-pata nahi hai. Kya ye Rohingya musalman hai (People from a certain Muslim sect are arriving here about whom we have no information. Are these Rohingya Muslims)? I request that the respected CM verify them. I know of at least two people who are from Bangladesh. Their verification should also be done.' A Congress worker from Kasumpti said Singh could go to any extent for his constituents. 'His stand in support of Himachalis and doubts over the presence of outsiders and Bangladeshis in Shimla drew applause even from BJP MLAs,' he said, adding that the minister's remarks had struck a chord with many people across the state. Ahead of the Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya in January 2024, Singh's nuanced political positioning was on display. Days before state PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh went against the party line and publicly expressed interest in attending the ceremony, the minister spelt out his plans to hold a religious event in Shimla and support people from his constituency who planned to visit the temple. Even as he stressed that his participation would be finalised after consultations with party workers, Singh targeted the BJP for 'politicising a religious occasion'. According to his election affidavit, Singh has assets worth more than Rs 16 crore and four pending cases against him.
