Uproar in Shimla’s Bhattakufar After Building Collapse; FIR Lodged Against Minister Anirudh Singh

Shimla, July 1:
Tensions flared in Shimla’s Bhattakufar area on Monday following the collapse of a five-storey building, with serious allegations surfacing against Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh. The Dhalli police have registered a case against the minister and others for allegedly assaulting an NHAI official during an inspection at the site, triggering political shockwaves.

Achal Jindal, an officer with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), filed a police complaint stating that after attending a meeting called by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Rural), he arrived at the collapse site around 11:30 a.m. According to Jindal, Minister Anirudh Singh initially spoke to him in a hostile manner and then physically assaulted him. Jindal claimed he sustained injuries during the altercation and was taken to IGMC for medical examination, where an MLC (medico-legal case) was registered.

Based on his complaint, the police have filed an FIR against Minister Anirudh Singh under sections 132, 121(1), 352, 126(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). As of now, the minister has not issued any official statement in response to the allegations.

The controversy erupted hours after the five-storey building in Bhattakufar’s Mathu Colony collapsed at around 8:15 a.m. Monday morning. The structure was completely reduced to rubble, though fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, Ranjana Verma, the owner of the collapsed building, has also filed a separate complaint with the police, accusing NHAI and the private contractor involved in the four-lane construction of negligence. According to her, cracks had already appeared in the building due to the nearby highway construction, and the entire structure came down suddenly on Monday.

The Dhalli police have registered FIRs in both cases and initiated investigations.