Shimla, April 7 The CPI(M) on Wednesday demanded the registration of an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the Chester Hill housing project in Solan and the removal of the chief secretary, days after the Himachal Pradesh government directed a fresh inquiry by the Deputy Commissioner.
An advocate, Vinay Sharma, had filed a complaint on March 24 against government officials and other persons alleging benami land transactions related to the high-end housing scheme. So far, no FIR has been registered in the case, according to sources.
Asked about the allegations and the status of the complaint, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari on Tuesday avoided a direct reply.
"If the government assigns any specific responsibility or mandate to the police concerning this matter, it would be discharged with absolute dedication and integrity," he told reporters.
He refused to comment further, saying the concerned departments are taking the necessary action regarding this matter.
There are allegations of a 'benami' land deal and violation of Section 118 of the HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act that restricts the purchase of land by non-Himachalis without prior permission.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday demanded registration of an FIR in the case and also pressed for the removal of Acting Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta.
The Left party was reacting after the Himachal Pradesh High Court stayed an order of the chief secretary overriding the action of the Solan Municipal Corporation in a land encroachment case.
"The government must now immediately remove the chief secretary from office and initiate legal proceedings against him. The layers of illegal orders – passed by the Acting Chief Secretary through an abuse of his official position – are unraveling one by one," CPI(M) leader and former mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation Sanjay Chauhan said.
The interim order by Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua came on a petition filed by the Municipal Corporation of Solan, which had challenged the chief secretary's jurisdiction.
The case relates to alleged illegal construction by private persons who are accused of demolishing a public pathway despite repeated objections from residents and statutory notices issued by the municipal corporation.
The petition stated that the Municipal Corporation of Solan had issued notices directing the stoppage of construction under relevant provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act after finding violations. However, the respondents allegedly continued construction while denying the existence of any public path.
The civic body has argued that despite ongoing violations and complaints, the chief secretary passed the February 24 order overriding municipal action, which has been challenged as being without jurisdiction and contrary to established legal provisions.
Under attack from the opposition over the Chester Hill land row, the Himachal Pradesh government had on Saturday directed a fresh inquiry into allegations of a 'benami' land deal and violation of Section 118 of the HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act.
The state government also withdrew the earlier order of December 6, 2025, in which the Chief Secretary (Revenue) had dubbed the inquiry conducted by Subdivisional Officer (Civil), Solan, as prima facie violative of settled law.