S Gopal Puri
Dharamsala: RS Bali, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), has announced that he will initiate legal proceedings against individuals who have publicly shared mobile numbers and personal details of his wife and sister, claiming the personal attacks are part of a broader campaign to malign his family’s reputation.
At a press conference on Monday at Hotel Dhauladhar, Bali addressed recent media and social media claims that key documents related to a hotel purchase were being misused to defame his family.
“Some individuals have been reading out the mobile numbers of my wife and my sister on social media after obtaining certain documents linked to a legal hotel transaction,” he said. “Let me make one thing clear: I am now going to court.”
Bali insisted the real estate deal was fully legal. He said that when his private office noticed an advertisement in The Tribune, his wife, Bhumika Bali, responded and initiated contact with the property owner.
“Everything about this transaction is above board — government fees have been paid, all records are in order,” he said. “This does not give anyone the right to publicize private mobile numbers or personal details of my family.”
He invoked a Hindi proverb—“Kala Akshar Bhains Barabar”—to emphasize that those spreading baseless claims are ignorant of the facts. (The phrase implies that unread or unintelligible writing is as meaningless as a buffalo.)
Bali also reiterated that his family engaged in business well before entering politics, asserting that they possess the capability and legacy to execute legally compliant transactions.
“This business group was established before I entered politics, and our dealings are entirely lawful,” he added.
By announcing his move to the courts, Bali aims to draw a line under the accusations and prevent further defamation. He reaffirmed that he will not tolerate the misuse of private information and that he stands ready to defend his family’s reputation through legal channels.
