Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh has been booked for allegedly assaulting two National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials near a road four-laning project site where a five-storey building collapsed Monday. Union Minister for Highways Nitin Gadkari denounced the assault as “deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law”.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against the minister at the Dhalli police station in Shimla in connection with the 30 June incident. The complainant, Achal Jindal, an NHAI manager, has accused the minister of physically assaulting him and his colleague, site engineer Yogesh, in the presence of local residents and administrative officials.
The incident unfolded in the aftermath of the collapse of the five-storey building in Bhattakufar, an area under the Kasumpti Assembly constituency represented by Singh. The collapse of the building—which was evacuated a day earlier so there was no loss of life— threatened to take down nearby structures. The site is located near the NHAI’s ongoing Shimla bypass four-laning project.
Jindal and Yogesh were called to a meeting the same day by Shimla rural sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Manjeet Sharma at 11:30 am to review the collapse. As the SDM was not present at the office, the officials were directed to the collapse site, where they encountered minister Singh, SDM Sharma, police personnel, and local residents.
According to the FIR, Jindal enquired about the incident from the contractor, who confirmed that the building had been evacuated 29 June, preventing any loss of life. Jindal informed the minister that the collapsed building was 30 metres outside the NHAI’s right of way (ROW), placing it under the state government’s jurisdiction as per NHAI agreements. He also stated the site could be mapped and compensation provided as per established rules.
Jindal alleged this provoked the minister, who began verbally abusing him in front of the SDM and local residents. The minister then reportedly took Jindal and Yogesh to a nearby room belonging to a local resident, according to the FIR.
Inside, Singh allegedly hit Jindal with what could have been a flower pot or a water pitcher, causing a severe head injury with significant bleeding, the FIR mentions, also adding that when Yogesh attempted to intervene, he was also beaten. The FIR noted that the room’s floor was left bloodstained due to the intensity of the assault. Jindal further claimed that no one, including SDM Sharma or the police personnel present, intervened to assist the victims.
The heinous assault on Shri Achal Jindal, Manager, NHAI PIU Shimla, allegedly by the Minister of Panchayati Raj, Himachal Pradesh, and his associates, is deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law. Such a brutal attack on a public servant performing his official…
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 1, 2025
Following the alleged assault, Jindal and Yogesh managed to drive to the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Hospital in Shimla in their private hospitals. Both are currently undergoing treatment, with Jindal allegedly having sustained multiple head wounds requiring stitches. In his complaint, Jindal has requested police protection and a fair investigation, demanding strict action against the minister and others involved.
ThePrint reached the minister through calls and messages, but there was no response. The report will be updated if and when a response is received.
Three-time MLA from Kasumpti in Shimla district, Anirudh Singh, 48, is a scion of erstwhile royal family of Koti in Shimla district.
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FIR and charges
The FIR was registered under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (criminal force), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi confirmed the registration of the FIR and stated that a comprehensive investigation has been initiated. The police will record the statements of witnesses, including SDM Sharma, police personnel, and local residents present at the scene.
The investigation aims to verify the sequence of events and determine the circumstances leading to the alleged assault.
Authorities are also examining the role of other individuals present at the scene, given Jindal’s claim that local residents may have participated in or witnessed the incident. The investigation will further assess why administrative officials failed to intervene during the assault.
‘Reprehensible, affront’
Union minister Gadkari discussed the matter with the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress leader Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, stressing the need for swift justice. Gadkari underscored that such attacks endanger individual safety and “undermine institutional integrity.”
“The heinous assault on Shri Achal Jindal, Manager, NHAI PIU Shimla, allegedly by the Minister of Panchayati Raj, Himachal Pradesh, and his associates, is deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law. Accountability must prevail, and justice must be delivered without delay,” he said in a post on X.
BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur criticised the Congress-led state government. “In Himachal Pradesh, under the Congress government, such incidents continue to occur that the state has neither seen nor heard of before.”
He highlighted a pattern of controversial actions involving Congress leaders, ministers, and MLAs, including internal conflicts within the police department. He alleged the chief minister has failed to take decisive action.
NHAI chairman condemns incident
Meanwhile, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav wrote to Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, expressing deep concern over the “manhandling” of the officers.
He wrote the officers sustained grave injuries requiring hospitalisation. He urged the state government to conduct a thorough inquiry. Yadav demanded those responsible should face legal consequences, warning such incidents could demoralise NHAI officials working on 17 National Highway projects worth Rs 23,729 crore in the state, potentially affecting their progress.
The NHAI Engineer Association (NEA) also issued a statement condemning the assault as “an appalling and unacceptable attack on a public servant discharging his official duties.”
The association reported that Jindal sustained serious injuries, including multiple head wounds requiring stitches, and remains hospitalised. It demanded “immediate and exemplary action” against all individuals responsible, asserting the safety of officers is non-negotiable.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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