FIRs against NHAI officials 2 days after HP minister booked on their complaint

Shimla, July 3, 2025 – A legal storm is brewing in Himachal Pradesh. Police have registered two FIRs against officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), just 48 hours after a state minister was booked on their complaint. This chain of events follows the collapse of a five-storey building in Bhattakufar, which locals blame on reckless construction.
Building Collapse Triggers Outrage
The five-storey building in Bhattakufar collapsed on June 30. It stood near an area where NHAI was cutting slopes for road widening. Although no lives were lost, the collapse alarmed the community. Residents say they had seen cracks in nearby homes for weeks and had complained more than 700 times. But no one acted.
Locals blame the damage on ongoing construction. They say contractors ignored safety norms and continued excavation work despite warnings.
Minister Visits Site, Gets Booked
Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Anirudh Singh visited the site after the collapse. A heated exchange followed between him and NHAI officials — Manager Achal Jindal and Engineer Yogesh Verma. The two NHAI officials later filed complaints alleging that Singh assaulted and threatened them.
Police registered an FIR against Singh under charges of criminal force, wrongful restraint, and intentional insult. The minister has strongly denied the claims.
Minister Denies Allegations, Accuses NHAI
Minister Singh says the FIR against him is an attempt to divert attention from NHAI’s failures. “I did not assault anyone. This is a cover-up to hide their negligence,” he told reporters.
He added that slope-cutting work near residential buildings had already damaged multiple homes. According to Singh, NHAI continued work even after warnings from residents and panchayat members.
FIRs Filed Against NHAI Officials
Two days later, on July 2, residents and a ward member from Chamyana Panchayat filed complaints against the same NHAI officials. They accused NHAI of endangering lives, causing property damage, and ignoring safety concerns.
Police registered two FIRs. The charges include criminal negligence, voluntarily causing hurt, and wrongful restraint. Complainants said they were stopped from inspecting the construction site and were harassed when they raised safety concerns.
Union Government Steps In
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari condemned the alleged assault on NHAI staff. He called it “deeply reprehensible” and asked the Himachal Chief Minister to act swiftly. NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav also wrote to the Chief Secretary. He warned that such incidents could demoralize officials and delay ₹23,000 crore worth of highway projects in the state.
Residents Say They Were Ignored
Local people say they tried for months to get help. Suman Thakur, a resident, said, “We saw the cracks, we heard the blasts, and we felt the tremors. Nobody listened.”
Many families have been forced to leave their damaged homes. Some now stay in temporary shelters. Locals want a full investigation and compensation for their losses.
Political Firestorm Grows
The opposition BJP demanded the resignation of Minister Singh. They accused the Congress-led government of failing to oversee infrastructure work. Meanwhile, the ruling party called for an investigation into NHAI’s road-widening practices.
The case has divided public opinion. Some support the minister’s stand against NHAI, while others believe no official should take the law into their own hands.
What Happens Next?
The district administration has launched a technical audit of the affected area. Police are recording statements from residents, engineers, and government officials. The state may also ask for an independent inquiry into NHAI’s construction practices in hilly regions.
Experts say the incident shows the risks of unplanned development. “Cutting slopes without proper drainage or retaining walls can be dangerous,” said a senior geologist in Shimla. “This problem is not limited to one project. We need better safety rules across the state.”
Conclusion
This conflict between state officials and NHAI is more than a political fight. It highlights the serious dangers of poor planning in fragile mountain areas. Both the legal system and the public will watch closely as the investigations unfold. What comes next may shape the future of road construction and public accountability in Himachal Pradesh.