Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday condemned the alleged assault on Achal Jindal, Manager of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Shimla by a minister of the state government.
Describing the incident as “deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law,” the union minister stressed that such brutality against a government officer not only threatens individual safety but also undermines the integrity of public institutions.
According to a TOI report, an engineer of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) posted in Shimla has alleged that he and another officer were physically assaulted by Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh during a site inspection on Monday.
“I have taken serious cognizance of the matter and spoken with the Chief Minister, Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Ji, urging immediate and exemplary action against all perpetrators,” Gadkari said in a statement posted on social media platform X. “Accountability must prevail, and justice must be delivered without delay.”
What happened?
According to a complaint filed by NHAI engineer Achal Jindal at the Dhalli police station, he and site engineer Yogesh had initially gone to attend a meeting convened by the Shimla Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to review the collapse of a multi-storey building at Chamyana. As the SDM was unavailable, Jindal proceeded to Bhatakuffar, where a four-laning project is under way.
TOI further reported that Jindal had learned the minister was also present at the site along with several local residents. He noted that Singh had contacted him the previous night regarding the collapsed building near the construction area in Chamyana.
Allegations of abuse and assault
In his complaint, Jindal explained that the contractor involved in the project had already confirmed that residents of the collapsed structure were evacuated before it gave way. Jindal further informed the minister that the building fell outside the NHAI’s jurisdiction—specifically, beyond the Right of Way—and that compensation in such cases was to be provided by the state government as per the agreement, noted TOI.
“But Singh started using abusive language,” Jindal alleged. “I and my site engineer were taken to a room belonging to a local resident, where the minister assaulted us. He hurled a pitcher full of water on me. As a result, I suffered injuries and started bleeding. When the site engineer tried to save me, he was also attacked. The SDM and others did not help us,” he added.
Both officers were subsequently admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla for treatment.
Describing the incident as “deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law,” the union minister stressed that such brutality against a government officer not only threatens individual safety but also undermines the integrity of public institutions.
According to a TOI report, an engineer of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) posted in Shimla has alleged that he and another officer were physically assaulted by Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh during a site inspection on Monday.
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
“I have taken serious cognizance of the matter and spoken with the Chief Minister, Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Ji, urging immediate and exemplary action against all perpetrators,” Gadkari said in a statement posted on social media platform X. “Accountability must prevail, and justice must be delivered without delay.”
What happened?
According to a complaint filed by NHAI engineer Achal Jindal at the Dhalli police station, he and site engineer Yogesh had initially gone to attend a meeting convened by the Shimla Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to review the collapse of a multi-storey building at Chamyana. As the SDM was unavailable, Jindal proceeded to Bhatakuffar, where a four-laning project is under way.
TOI further reported that Jindal had learned the minister was also present at the site along with several local residents. He noted that Singh had contacted him the previous night regarding the collapsed building near the construction area in Chamyana.
Allegations of abuse and assault
In his complaint, Jindal explained that the contractor involved in the project had already confirmed that residents of the collapsed structure were evacuated before it gave way. Jindal further informed the minister that the building fell outside the NHAI’s jurisdiction—specifically, beyond the Right of Way—and that compensation in such cases was to be provided by the state government as per the agreement, noted TOI.
“But Singh started using abusive language,” Jindal alleged. “I and my site engineer were taken to a room belonging to a local resident, where the minister assaulted us. He hurled a pitcher full of water on me. As a result, I suffered injuries and started bleeding. When the site engineer tried to save me, he was also attacked. The SDM and others did not help us,” he added.
Both officers were subsequently admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla for treatment.
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