SHIMLA, July 1 — Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh Rana was booked on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officer during a site inspection following the collapse of a five-storeyed building in Shimla’s Bhattakuffar area.
The Dhalli police registered an FIR under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after Achal Jindal, manager (technical) at NHAI, lodged a formal complaint. The charges include assaulting a public servant to deter them from duty.
Jindal is currently receiving treatment for head injuries at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), where he was admitted along with fellow engineer Yogesh, who also sustained injuries.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon when Jindal and Yogesh arrived at the collapse site following instructions from the Shimla Rural Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Manjeet Sharma. According to Jindal’s police complaint, Minister Rana became irate after being informed that the building collapse occurred outside the National Highway right of way (ROW), and therefore under state jurisdiction.
Jindal alleged that Rana verbally abused him in front of the SDM and local residents, then dragged him and Yogesh into a nearby room where he physically assaulted them. Jindal said Rana struck him on the head with a pitcher, causing bleeding. The SDM reportedly did not intervene during the assault. Both officers later fled the scene in a private vehicle and checked into IGMC Hospital for treatment.
The incident has drawn national attention. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari condemned the assault, calling it “deeply reprehensible” and urged Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to ensure justice. “Such a brutal attack on a public servant performing his duties is an affront to the rule of law and institutional integrity,” Gadkari wrote on social media.
The NHAI Engineers’ Association condemned the attack and announced a half-day strike on Tuesday from 2 p.m., urging Gadkari’s intervention. “We stand in full solidarity with Jindal. This assault on engineers in the line of duty is unacceptable,” a spokesperson said.
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur also demanded the immediate dismissal of Minister Rana from the Cabinet. “This type of anarchy will not be tolerated. The attack on NHAI officers in the presence of state officials signals a disturbing breakdown in law and order,” he said.
As outrage mounts, the minister has yet to respond publicly. The Himachal Pradesh government has not issued an official statement beyond confirming the FIR. Police said investigations are ongoing, and additional security has been extended to Jindal.
The incident has cast a shadow over the state government, raising serious questions about accountability and safety for government personnel on duty.
