Himachal minister denies assaulting NHAI officials, blames them for building collapse

Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh on Wednesday denied allegations that he assaulted officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

He claimed that the FIR filed against him was an attempt to divert attention from the Bhattakuffar building collapse, which he said occurred due to the negligence and excessive hill-cutting by NHAI.

“FIR doesn’t mean I am guilty. I deny all the allegations levelled against me,” the minister said.

He also alleged widespread malpractices and corruption among NHAI officials.

“There is a nexus between NHAI officials and private contractors. This nexus is causing immense losses to the common people,” he said.

Reacting to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s condemnation of the alleged assault, Singh said Gadkari was not fully informed about the ground realities.

“I will soon meet the Union Minister and apprise him of the corrupt practices of NHAI officials,” he said, adding that he would urge the Centre to frame a policy for those who have suffered losses due to NHAI's poor functioning.