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Follow ‘true spirit’ of Constitution, not individuals: Justice AK Goel at HP LSA lecture series
The day, people of India would be able to understand that instead of following the politicians or political figures, people should follow the spirit of the Constitution, they will realize its power.
Shimla: The Supreme Court judge, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, on October 7, 2017, inaugurated the fifth lecture in the series of lectures titled “Different Facets of Indian Constitution” being organized by the Himachal Pradesh Legal Services Authority (HP LSA).
The event was held at the new auditorium of the State High Court. It was attended by over 300 students of law and teaching faculties from various law universities.
The purpose of this series is to spread legal awareness among all sections of the society and to empower them.
In his welcome address, Justice Sanjay Karol, acting Chief Justice of the High Court, said Justice Goel is a great scholar, a jurist who is also known for his simplicity, and a sage who is full of knowledge and wisdom.
He has delivered several landmark judgments taking into consideration the ground realities. He is also one of the two judges in SC division bench hearing the case related to Vijay Mallya.
Along with showering appreciation over Shimla city, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel spoke over a very sensitive topic – allegiance to the true spirit of the Indian Constitution instead of following individual figures as heroes.
One must not follow or treat any individual as a hero; rather we must understand and follow the true spirit of the Constitution,
Justice Goel said in his inaugural speech.
This statement holds the key to the healthy democracy and dream of corruption free India. The day, people of India would be able to understand that instead of following the politicians or political figures, people should follow the spirit of the Constitution, they will realize its power.
However, first the people need awareness about their constitution and this is the purpose of the State Legal Authority.
As a reminder to the government, he said the first and foremost duty of the State is to ensure the “welfare of its people” and to secure “justice for all”, which is the guiding spirit of the Constitution.
A great debate is going on among the great jurists in the Constituent Assembly as to how the principals of Equality, Liberty and Fraternity can be achieved and how justice can be secured for all, he said.
He praised Shimla city of its great attractions and simplicity of the inhabitants.
Himachal Pradesh is one of the unique places on the Earth,
he said
He referred to the concluding speech delivered by Dr. B R Ambadker in the Constituent Assembly and said,
Dr. Ambadker was the greatest Jurist that India has ever had.
The ultimate aim behind the adoption of the Constitution is to secure “justice for all” enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution. The Preamble is the soul of the Constitution of India, he said.
Justice Goel said that there are several incidents described in the great epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana which shows us how the “Rule of Law”, was maintained in the society at that time.
Referring to “Chanakya”, he said that almost in every age, India had well-defined sets of laws as a mean to maintain good governance.
During the British rule in India, there was a so-called rule of law, but there was no justice for the common people,
said Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.
Justice Goel appreciated the initiative of the HPSLS A for the organization of the lecture series and said it is rendering a great service to people in providing “access to justice for all”.
The lecture was also attended by Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Justice Sureshwar Thakur, Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Justice Sandeep Sharma, Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia, Judges of HP High Court, Former Judges,. V.K. Sharma, Chairman, H.P. Administrative Tribunal, P.S.Rana, President State Consumer Commission, Assistant Solicitor General of India , President High Court Bar Association, Senior Advocates and Bar Member.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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