Kasauli firing: Magisterial probe indicts SP, 16 others

SHIMLA: The 17 officials indicted in the inquiry report submitted by Divisional Commissioner, Shimla, into the Kasauli firing could face severe penalty as Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said strong action would be taken to ensure there is no repeat of a similar incident.

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 18

The 17 officials indicted in the inquiry report submitted by Divisional Commissioner, Shimla, into the Kasauli firing could face severe penalty as Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said strong action would be taken to ensure there is no repeat of a similar incident.

Dinesh Malhotra, Divisional Commissioner, Shimla who had been entrusted the task of holding the inquiry into the May 3 Kasauli firing, submitted the 136-page report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) BK Aggarwal on Thursday. A total of 18 witnesses had been examined by him during the course of inquiry and the major onus for the laxity in the demolition drive seems to have been put on the police.

“Strict action will be taken against all those who erred in their duty. We will not allow repeat of such incidents as there has to be prompt action on the part of law enforcing agencies and they cannot be found to be napping,” he said. There could be strict action on the report on May 24, when the Cabinet is scheduled to hold its meeting.

The inquiry report has pointed out some major lapses, primarily on the part of the police. Sources revealed that the inquiry report had indicted Superintendent of Police (SP) Solan, Naib Tehsildar, the two SHOs present at the site when the firing took place and two personnel from the Quick Response Team (QRT). The report also contains four recommendations which could avert such unfortunate incidents in the near future.

It has been clearly pointed out that the two SHOs present at the site despite being on duty were without their service arms. The two QRT personnel, though carrying AK-47, failed to react when Vijay Singh, owner of a guest house whose illegal structure was being demolished, shot at Shail Bala Sharma, the Assistant Town Planner and a PWD employee, both of whom died.

It is learnt that one of the major contents of the inquiry report is the Standard Operating procedure (SOP) laid down for any future demolition of illegal structure or removal of forest encroachments. These two issues are the two biggest challenges that the state government is facing with Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal and High Court monitoring hearing in these cases.

136-page report points at lapses

The inquiry report has pointed out some major lapses, primarily on the part of the police.
The report had indicted SP, Solan, Naib Tehsildar, the two SHOs present at the site when the firing took place and two personnel from the Quick Response Team.
It has been pointed out that the two SHOs present at the site despite being on duty were without their service arms.
The two QRT personnel, though carrying AK-47, failed to react when Vijay Singh, owner of a guest house, shot at Shail Bala