Himachal Pradesh: Lady officer shot dead by hotelier during demolition drive in Kasauli

SC on Wednesday criticized the state government for not providing adequate protection to the team and said the matter should be placed before the CJI.

Image: Assistant Town and Country Planner Shailbala (Left), hotel owner Vijay Kumar (right)

Shimla: An assistant town and country planner was shot dead after a hotel owner allegedly opened fire at her on Tuesday. Image: Assistant Town and Country Planner Shailbala (Left), Hotel owner Vijay Kumar (right) One Public Works Department employee was also injured in the incident. The incident happened when a demolition team was carrying out a Supreme Court mandated drive to demolish illegal structures in 13 hotels in Solan district. The hotel owner, Vijay Kumar, tried to intimidate the drive to stop the demolition drive and opened fire on the demolition team. Assistant Town and Country Planner, Shailbala, was killed on the spot and Gulab Singh severely injured when the owner of Narayani guest house. SC on Wednesday criticized the state government for not providing adequate protection to the team and said the matter should be placed before the CJI. SC also requested CJI to list the matter for consideration tomorrow. SC ordered the government of Himachal Pradesh file a report on the incident. The Vijay Kumar who is accused of killing the officer still absconding. On April 17, the Supreme Court had directed the state government to demolish unauthorised structures in 13 hotels in Kasauli and Dharampur areas of Solan. Superintendent of Police (Solan) Mohit Chawla informed that a case was registered against the accused.