Attempted Encroachment at Marlbrough House: Police Intervene Swiftly Following Break-In Attempt

Shimla —In a shocking incident reflecting the growing menace of illegal encroachments in Shimla and across Himachal Pradesh, two individuals attempted to break into the basement and ground floor of the four-story Marlbrough House, located near the Secretariat in Chhota Shimla, by forcibly breaking the locks.

The property, owned by acclaimed Hindi writer S.R. Harnot since 2018, has been at the center of a disturbing episode that raises questions about the safety of properties and the involvement of influential figures in illegal activities.

The two men, claiming to be laborers, were caught in the act by Harnot, who spotted them tampering with the entrance locks.

When confronted, they told him that someone named "Chauhan" had instructed them to take control of the basement.

They also revealed that they were from Saharanpur and had recently moved to Shimla post-COVID. Despite Harnot's insistence, they refused to disclose further identification details.

Faced with their aggressive behavior, Harnot immediately alerted the Chhota Shimla Police, both via phone and WhatsApp.

The police acted promptly, arriving on the scene and evicting the intruders from the basement. However, the incident left the writer and his family deeply shaken.

"This is not just about breaking into a property; it's about the audacity of outsiders coming here with no identification and forcibly taking control. Who is providing these illegal elements protection and the power to act with such impunity?" Harnot questioned, his voice tinged with both anger and fear.

This is not the first time the Marlbrough House has faced issues. When Harnot purchased the ground floor in 2018, the basement was in a dilapidated condition, often used by drug addicts and vagrants for illegal activities.

Despite filing complaints with the local police and municipal corporation at the time, Harnot was advised to seal the basement with a sturdy grille to prevent further intrusion.

The basement had remained open and unclaimed since 2015, a notorious spot for anti-social elements.

Later that evening, Harnot received a threatening call from a man identifying himself as "Kaushal," claiming to be a retired senior government official and a prominent builder.

He asserted that the basement belonged to him, stating he had its registry.

"This is a new one for me," Harnot remarked sarcastically, "A registry for a basement? Since when does Shimla register basements?".

Harnot, who has transformed his ground floor into a beautiful library and study, now faces threats over what he describes as an orchestrated attempt to grab his property.

"This incident is part of a larger problem. Across the state, we're seeing illegal encroachments, and outsiders are being given undue protection by powerful individuals,"he said.

Copies of Harnot’s complaint have been sent to the Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla and the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation for further action.

"The authorities must investigate who is backing these intruders and bring them to justice. It’s a serious issue, not just for me, but for the safety of many in the city," Harnot added, expressing concerns over his family's safety.

The growing problem of illegal encroachments, particularly by unidentified individuals from outside Himachal Pradesh, has sparked widespread protests across the state.

The incident at Marlbrough House adds yet another alarming case to this escalating issue. 

As Harnot put it bluntly, "If this can happen right under the nose of the Secretariat, it can happen anywhere."