SOLAN: Congress MLA from Doon constituency in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, Ram Kumar Chaudhary, has once again landed in the eye of a political storm.
The controversy not only reignites questions over illegal mining and encroachment but also draws sharp parallels with a previous high-profile incident involving former Superintendent of Police Ilma Afroz, whose has since been transferred to Lahaul-Spiti in the same position.
Past shadows loom over present crisis
Not long ago, Ram Kumar Chaudhary was embroiled in a similar controversy when vehicles allegedly involved in illegal mining were linked to his wife.
Then SP Ilma Afroz took strict action and issued challans against the vehicles. Her firmness reportedly didn’t go down well with the political heavyweight. What followed raised many eyebrows — Ilma Afroz was abruptly sent on leave for over a month and later transferred from Baddi to the remote district of Lahaul-Spiti.
The opposition BJP had alleged that the incident not only tarnished the image of fair governance but also reinforced the perception that Ram Kumar Chaudhary enjoys protection from the highest political office in the state.
Fresh controversy, familiar pattern
Now, history appears to be repeating itself. Ram Kumar Chaudhary is once again under fire, this time for alleged illegal mining and unauthorised encroachment on government land in the Doon area of Solan district. The local police, responding to public complaints, have seized three tippers and a mining machine reportedly owned by his wife.
The allegations go beyond illegal excavation. Locals and BJP leaders have accused the MLA of constructing unauthorised houses on public land, obtaining illegal electricity connections and damaging forest resources. What’s more alarming is the claim that the same government land is being repeatedly exploited under the guise of “personal development”.
BJP leaders like Gurmel Chaudhary and Maan Singh Mehta have spearheaded public protests, demanding immediate action. “Last time, an honest SP was punished for doing her duty. Will it happen again?” asked Mehta, pointing directly at the possibility of political interference in the ongoing probe.
Public anger, political pressure, and a question for the new SP
The burning question now is will the newly appointed SP stand ground, or will Ram Kumar Chaudhary manage to push another honest officer out, just as he allegedly did with Ilma Afroz?
According to Manpur police station in-charge Shyam Lal, a formal investigation had begun and initial seizures had already been made. “No one is above the law. Strict action will follow based on evidence,” he said.
MLA’s defence and public perception
While the MLA has so far avoided making a direct statement, he had earlier claimed in a newspaper interview that he was only levelling his personal land for tree plantation and there was “no illegal mining.” But with 20-foot-deep excavation reported in hilly terrain, locals aren’t convinced.
“This is not about development. It’s about repeated misuse of public land and misuse of power,” said a protesting villager from Kishanpura. “If the same kind of political shielding happens again, it will show that the law exists only for the common man.”
Munish Sood
