Himachal ex-MLA Rajinder Rana accuses CMO of bid to stifle voice after FIR lodged against his wife, son

Munish Sood
MANDI: The political climate in Himachal Pradesh has become increasingly heated following former Congress MLA Rajinder Rana’s strong condemnation of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the police administration over the filing of an FIR against his wife and son at Pachhad in Sirmaur district.

Addressing the media, Rana alleged that the FIR was part of a political conspiracy aimed at silencing him.
He claimed that the FIR was filed within just two hours of direct intervention from the CM’s office, calling it a “blatant misuse of power” intended to falsely implicate his family and suppress his voice.

Allegations of fraud worth crores by contractor Anil Chauhan

Rajinder Rana presented documents as “evidence” to explain how in 2020, Anil Chauhan, a resident of Mashobra in Shimla, proposed a partnership in a crusher plant in Pachhad.

Under the agreement, Rana’s wife and son were each supposed to hold a 25% stake in the business. Despite payments totalling ₹2.5 to ₹3 crore, Rana alleged that Anil Chauhan neither started the plant nor refunded the money.
“This was not black money, but our hard-earned savings, meant for a genuine business investment. Instead, Anil Chauhan misused the funds for personal gains,” he claimed.

JCB controversy: Theft or manipulation?

The situation took a dramatic turn when Rajinder Rana’s son purchased a JCB machine for the project, only to find out that Anil Chauhan allegedly rented it out near Rohru without permission, pocketing the earnings for six months.

When the alleged fraud came to light, Rana’s son filed a complaint at the Pachhad police station, leading to the legal recovery of the machine.

However, in an unexpected development, the same police force —allegedly under pressure from the CM’s office — registered a theft case against Rana’s family over the same machine.

Summoned by Punjab Police, yet protected in Himachal?

Rajinder Rana further revealed that Anil Chauhan was facing fraud charges in Punjab. A complaint filed in Mohali led to an FIR under IPC Sections 420 and 406 on March 12, following a two-month investigation. The Punjab Police had even summoned Anil Chauhan for questioning, he alleged.

“But instead of facing the law, Anil Chauhan sought political refuge in Himachal. In just two hours, the CM’s office ensured an FIR was filed against my family,” Rana alleged.

In a direct attack on Chief Minister Sukhu, Rana accused the government of using law enforcement as a tool for political revenge. “The same police that acted on my son’s complaint are now being used to frame us. The administration has become a puppet in the hands of those in power,” he said.