SHIMLA: In a landmark ruling today, the High Court of Himachal Pradesh has taken a stern stand against the Executive Engineer of H.P. PWD Division, Dharampur, District Mandi, for blatant non-compliance of its orders, putting citizens' lives at risk.
A Division Bench, led by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, delivered the order following a petition filed by an aggrieved citizen named Shashikant.
The petitioner had raised alarm over the construction of a retaining wall and an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at village Sarkan, Tehsil Dharampur, District Mandi, carried out by H.P. PWD and supervised by Unipro Techno Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. It has been alleged that the Construction Company recklessly dumped muck near the petitioner's house, posing an immediate and substantial threat to life and property.
Despite repeated complaints and warnings, the authorities turned a blind eye to the petitioner's pleas.
Tragically, after heavy rainfall on 24th June 2023, the retaining wall of the under-construction ITI collapsed, teetering close to the petitioner's house.
During the last court hearing on 18th July 2023, the Executive Engineer, Dharampur, falsely reassured the Court of prompt action.
However, the reality proved starkly different, court observed.
Court found Engineer's complete negligence in taking preventive measures despite the ongoing rain and imminent danger.
The High Court's judgment was swift and unequivocal. The Engineer-in-Chief, HP PWD, has been directly ordered to suspend the Executive Engineer, Dharampur, without delay. Moreover, the Engineer-in-Chief has been sternly instructed to delegate an appropriate Officer immediately to protect the petitioner's house and avert any potential catastrophe.