The Supreme Court came down hard on the Himachal Pradesh government for non-implementation of the demolition law for illegal constructions of floors as tourist lodges in true spirit leading to the killing of a lady officer in Kasauli who was supervising a demolition drive. The court asked the state government to notify about the implementation of its order last month regarding the demolition of unauthorized construction at 13 hotels in the state.
The SC bench comprised of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta who were looking into the investigation in the murder case of Assistant Town and Country Planner Shail Bala Sharma. The lady officer was shot dead on May 1 when she had gone to supervise the demolition drive at Narayani Guest House in Kasauli. She was allegedly shot dead by the guest house owner Vijay Singh who disappeared after the incident. The apex court had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident. The incident was described unfortunate and serious by the court and also told the government that it is duty of the state administration to ensure implementation of rules regarding unauthorized construction.
The bench also strived to know from the Advocate General of the state that what steps have been taken to ensure protection of others officials who were involved in the demolition drive and how what actions they have taken till now in order to find the accused Vijay Singh. The court also sought to know the progress in the case in identifying the illegal constructions in tourist places like Manali, Dharamshala, and Mc Leodganj.
Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh government told the Supreme Court that it will give Rs 5 lakh compensation to the officer’s family and the police have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for anyone providing information leading to the accused.
Courtesy/By: Saumya Singh
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12 May 2018
