Himachal Chief Secretary Alleges Conspiracy by Former Officials Over Chester Hills Project
In a dramatic development, Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta on Tuesday made serious allegations against two former IAS officers and an engineer, claiming they are conspiring to malign his reputation through baseless allegations related to violations in the Chester Hills housing project in Solan.
Alleged Motive Behind the Conspiracy
Gupta asserted that this calculated move is specifically aimed at preventing his service extension ahead of his scheduled retirement on May 31. Addressing mediapersons at his Vidhan Sabha office, the chief secretary revealed he had previously filed a complaint against one of the former IAS officers and the engineer during his tenure as chairman of the state electricity board, accusing them of irregularities.
Full Cooperation with Police Investigation
The chief secretary further disclosed that he has already shared all relevant details with the police in connection with an FIR registered at Chotta Shimla police station regarding the Chester Hills case. Gupta expressed complete confidence that the truth will emerge during the ongoing investigation, emphasizing his commitment to transparency.
No Involvement in Chester Hills Project
Gupta maintained his complete innocence regarding the Chester Hills project, stating categorically that he had no involvement whatsoever. He clarified that the project was approved by the former Real Estate Regulatory Authority chairman and that whatever land he had purchased was acquired through his hard-earned money with full knowledge of the state government.
Political Escalation of the Controversy
The controversy has gained significant political momentum after former CPI(M) MLA Rakesh Singha alleged serious violations in the allotment of 275 bighas of land for the project and demanded Gupta's immediate removal. Adding to the pressure, BJP MLA Satpal Singh Satti raised the issue in the legislative assembly on Tuesday, urging prompt action.
Citing the serious nature of the allegations, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has called upon Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to break his silence and take appropriate steps to address the growing concerns surrounding the Chester Hills housing project controversy.
