Himachal Pradesh: Hotel owner guns down lady official over SC-directed demolition of illegal construction
Kasauli, May 2 (IBNS): A town planner has been shot to death by a hotel owner in Kasauli town of Himachal Pradesh, when the former intended to follow the Supreme Court's directive of demolishing illegal constructions in the hills, media reports said.
Shail Bala has been shot to death by 51-year old Vijay Singh, the owner of Narayani Guest House.
Singh fired when a team of Public Works Department (PWD) started pulling down a part of the hotel at Mando Matkanda. The firing injured another officer seriously.
When a team of police, which was present in the adjacent building, reached the spot, Singh took to his heels.
Police have also announced a reward of one lakh to anyone who would be able to give information about the absconding owner.
When Shail reached the spot with an intent to executive the top court's order, she had received resistance from Singh and his mother Narayani Devi.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has been quoted by The Times of India saying that the accused will be nabbed soon.
The Supreme Court on Apr 17 reportedly directed the Himachal Pradesh government to demolish all illegal constructions, rejecting the pleas of hoteliers against a National Green Tribunal Order.
The Narayani Guest House built a six-storied building despite having permission for only three storeys.
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