Claims dump yard where over 2,000 truckloads of wood stocked leased to MLA’s wife’s company; Chander Shekhar calls allegations ‘baseless’, says all activities legal
Mandi (Munish Sood)
BJP leader Rajat Thakur has accused Kavita Shekhar, wife of Dharampur Congress MLA Chander Shekhar, of “illegal timber dumping” on leased land in the Bahri area of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh.
The son of former Himachal minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Rajat had on Saturday addressed the media in Dharampur and alleged that a massive felling scam had taken place and about 2,000 truckloads of wood had been stocked at the Bahri dumping yard.
Rajat had fought the 2022 Assembly election from Dharampur on the BJP ticket, but lost to Chander Shekhar.
On Sunday, Rajat released to the media purported documents which, he alleged, “proved” Chander Shekhar and his wife Kavita’s “involvement” in the felling scam.
The BJP leader alleged that the dump yard had been leased to Renewable Energy Private Limited, a company registered in Kavita’s name and addressed in Chander Shekhar’s name, which “clearly proved the MLA and his wife’s involvement in the felling and stockpiling of the wood”.
Several protected species felled, alleges Rajat
Rajat alleged that the wood stock comprised several protected tree species, the felling of which was prohibited under the law.
The Congress MLA, on the other hand, called Rajat’s allegations “absurd” and “baseless”, asserting that the timber was stored legally and the company had all the required approvals.
The issue has escalated political tensions in Dharampur, with the BJP threatening district-wide protests.
He maintained that Chander Shekhar’s wife’s company had applied to the Forest Department for a firewood depot, but the approval was awaited. “The illegal dumping of timber has been done even before the approval could be attained,” alleged Rajat.
Demand for immediate investigation
Citing “documentary evidence”, Rajat alleged that efforts were underway to remove the timber to destroy proof after the issue surfaced in the media. He demanded that the area be sealed and police personnel deployed for security until the investigation was completed.
He also warned that if the demands were ignored, BJP workers would stage protests across Mandi district.
Probe ordered by Chief Minister after uproar
The matter has already created political turbulence in Dharampur. The issue of illegal timber felling was prominently raised during the recently concluded Assembly session, leading Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to order an inquiry.
However, Rajat alleged that certain individuals were trying to manipulate the investigation by removing the illegally dumped timber, including wood from trees like mango, peepal, shisham and other protected species.
Police confirms receiving complaint
Dharampur DSP Sanjeev Sood confirmed receiving a formal complaint from Rajat Thakur. He stated that the complaint had been forwarded to the local police station and orders for appropriate action had been issued.
Forest Department to conduct investigation
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Ajit Thakur said the department had “information about timber being collected from private land of individuals”. “An investigation will be conducted and if trees are found to have been cut illegally or the felled wood comprised protected species, strict action will be taken,” said Thakur.
He mentioned that an application for a firewood depot under Kavita Shekhar’s company, Renewable Energy Private Limited, was currently under review.
BJP leader calls for central agency probe
Rajat raised concerns about the alleged possibility of influential persons tampering with evidence and demanded that the probe be handed over to a central investigation agency to ensure it is “impartial”. He warned of large-scale protests if any attempt was made to shield the guilty.