The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 2) took cognisance of the shocking case of a hotel owner shooting down lady assistant town and country planner Shailbala during a demolition drive in Kasauli on Tuesday. The court said it was a serious issue that the state government could not provide security to the officer. The officer, heading the demolition drive, was murdered in broad daylight.

Also critically injured in the shooting was Public Works Department employee Gulab Singh.

While they were carrying out a Supreme Court mandated drive – they demolished 13 hotels – in the Kasauli district of Himachal Pradesh, when Vijay Kumar, owner of the Narayani Guest House, opened fire at the demolition team, according to the police.

The Supreme Court had on April 17 directed the state government to demolish unauthorised structures in 13 hotels in Kasauli and Dharampur areas of Solan.

Officials said that while some hotel owners cooperated, other owners threatened the team. As altercations happened Kumar went too far and fired three rounds that killed Shailbala on the spot. Singh was taken to a hospital in Chandigarh, where his condition was stated to be critical.

The accused has fled and a search is on.

—India Legal Bureau