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Kasauli killing was due to non-implementation of law: SC
New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) The Supreme Court said on Thursday that the murder of a woman officer in Kasauli, when she was supervising the demolition of unauthorised construction in hotels and resorts, was because of the non-implementation of the state law prohibiting unauthorised constructions.
Directing Himachal Pradesh to file a status report on its investigation into the killing of Shail Bala Sharma – woman Assistant Town Planner – the bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta said that the unfortunate incident took place not because of its orders to demolish unauthorised structures but non-implementation of the law prohibiting illegal construction.
Telling the state counsel that the death of the woman officer was not because she was enforcing the top court’s order but the failure of the government in not acting in time and enforcing the law prohibiting illegal construction, the court said: “You have to ensure rule of law and implementation of law related to unauthorised constructions.”
The top court also directed the Himachal Pradesh government to apprise it of the steps taken by it to stop illegal construction in the state and to prevent the “unfortunate incident”.
Postings the matter for further hearing on May 9, the court asked the state to file an affidavit giving the details sought by it.
The top court had on Wednesday took suo motu cognizance of the killing and described the incident as “extremely serious”.
Sharma who had gone to Kasauli to supervise the demolition of unauthorised constructions at 13 hotels and resorts as ordered by the top court was shot dead on May 1 by Vijay Singh — owner of Narayani Guest House in Dharampur area. A labourer was also injured.
The court had pulled up the Himachal Pradesh government for not providing adequate security to the officials carrying out the demolitions as it termed as “serious” that the accused killed the official in daylight and police could not catch him.
On April 17, Justice Lokur and Justice Gupta directed the demolition of unauthorised constructions in Kasauli built in violation of sanctioned plans.
It noted that some hotels and resorts were supposed to construct only two-storeyed buildings but built six-storeyed buildings.
The court order of demolition had came on pleas filed by the owners challenging a National Green Tribunal May 30, 2017 order which had directed the demolition of unauthorised portions of the hotels affecting the environment, ecology and natural resources.
The hotels included Hotel Pine View, Narayani Guest House, Bird’s View Resort, Hotel Neelgiri, Hotel Divshikha and Guest House.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.