News
Jindan Murder Case: 3rd accused arrested, autopsy confirms assault with sticks/rods before being run over by SUV
Shimla: The Special Investigation Team formed by the Himachal Pradesh Police to probe the case of the alleged murder of Kedar Singh Jindal in Bakras village of Shillai in Sirmaur district has arrested third accused on Tuesday.
Though the police is being careful in releasing details, it was confirmed that this third accused Karm Singh alias Kaku was also involved in the alleged murder of Jindan on September 7, 2018.
The police also confirmed receiving the autopsy report of the victim’s dead body. The autopsy has revealed that Jindan was first beaten with sticks/iron rods and then crushed under an SUV. Several pictures taken during the autopsy support this finding.
The eyewitnesses, regarding whom the police is not releasing much information, have also claimed witnessing an assault on Jindan by about half a dozen people.
The autopsy report suggests it to be a case of a pre-planned, cold-blooded murder due to personal grudges. Jindan was an RTI activist, social worker, and a politician. He had tried to expose a fraud in the Below Poverty Line scheme in which he had named the involvement of the up-pradhan, who was an influential man. The activist was demanding a probe in the fraud in which half a dozen people of the same panchayat allegedly used fake BPL certificates to avail government jobs.
Jindan used to raise the voice of SC/ST Community, but so far, the SIT is suggested that the cause of the alleged murder was not related to casteism.
The police had arrested the up-pradhan of panchayat Jai Prakash Singh and Gopal on the same day. The duo was on five-day remand till September 11. The court has extended the remand till September 17.
The SIT arrested the third accused after questioning over a dozen people and interrogation of the arrested accused. The reports of the forensic samples taken from the spot and vehicle used are still awaited. It was assured that all arrests were made on the basis of ample evidences.
The SIT has not confirmed how many eyewitnesses have come forward. However, a report in a Hindi daily claimed there were two to five eyewitnesses who were not ready to give a statement to the police as they do not trust it. As per the daily, these witnesses said they would open their mouth only either in the court or in front of the Central Bureau of Investigation.
In the lack of a clear statement from the SIT, it is not known whether protection was provided to any witness or not. Ambiguous reports claimed that five witnesses were provided police protection.
As per SIT, it has almost solved the case and would make detailed revelations regarding it later.
The State police had to form a SIT in which no official of the Shillai station was included considering the distrust expressed by victim’s kin and other locals in them. The family alleges that Jindan had requested a police protection after he begun to receive threats to life, especially after exposing the alleged BPL scam.
However, he received a heavy security only for his funeral.
The family had made a special request to conduct an autopsy at the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, instead of Siramur.
The local MLAs continue to maintain distance from the victim’s family as well as the alleged murder.
Further, the credibility of the State Police is also at stake after the nine-member SIT formed to probe Gudia case of Kotkhai ended up in jail for framing innocent persons and killing one of them during custody. The SIT was headed by the then Inspector General Zahur H Zaidi. In the current case, the six-member SIT is headed by ASP, Nahan, Virender Thakur.
In response to the protest and demand of the Rajput Sabha to drop charges of murder and charges under SC/ST act against the arrested accused, the Director General of Police SR Mardi said the case is registered under appropriate Sections, which would not be dropped.
A large number of people had staged protest under the banner of Rajpur Sabha demanding registration of this case of cold-blooded murder as a road accident. The Sabha has also expressed their distrust in local police.
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
Home Decor Ideas 2020