News
Mohali Rape Case: Victim Reached 2 Police Stations, Still No Action Was Taken
Shimla-A 22-year-old girl, who is a resident of Himachal Pradesh, was allegedly raped on April 15 in a cab in Mohali. As per the victim, she was made to run from one police station to other but none of them filed an FIR. The girl had to walk back to her home. After two days, when the matter was brought to the notice of senior police officials, an SHO was suspended for inaction and an FIR was filed.
The alleged apathy of police is worrisome as it raises questions over the willingness of police to ensure the safety of women.
As per the victim, who got married two months back and is employed with a call centre in Mohali, she was on the way to her office when a cab stopped close to her. The driver inquired about an address from the victim and then offered her a lift. The woman accepted the lift. From Phase VIII, where she sat in the car, the cab driver took her to an abandoned ground near a government building in Sohana area and allegedly raped her. He threatened her of dire consequences in case she tried to scream or to raise an alarm.
The victim said the accused then took her to a road in an isolated area and tried to rape her again. However, as per the victim, she managed to distract the accused and escape. The accused sped away from the spot.
She sat in the car in Phase VIII but was raped in Sohana area. When she reached Sohana police station, SHO Daljeet Singh sent her to the police station under which Phase VIII falls. The SHOs reportedly cited jurisdictional issues as the reason for not filing her complaint. However, there is a provision of ‘Zero FIR’ that can be lodged at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction.
Moreover, the alleged crime was committed between 9 PM to 11 PM – in broad daylight. The victim said she remained his captive for almost two hours.
A senior police official told media that the girl was unable to recall the number of the vehicle. The official assured that case has been registered and a departmental inquiry was ordered against the SHO of Sohana police station. A case was filed against the unidentified accused under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The police said CCTV footages from concerned areas are being collected. A sketch of the victim would also be prepared to nab the accused, the official told media.
As the woman hailed from Himachal Pradesh, police drew criticism from people of Hill State. Several people tagged Himachal Watcher on Twitter and Facebook asking it to highlight the issue. They expressed their distress over the attitude of the police.
Now, the National Commission of Women has also issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Punjab, expressing concern over the safety of females and working of police.
A National English Daily reported that the suspended SHO belonged to Jagraon in Ludhiana, and has a controversial history.
Daljeet was recruited in police in 2000 on compassionate grounds after his father, a deputy superintendent of police with Punjab Police, was killed by terrorists. He has faced departmental inquiries earlier for not revealing his pending criminal case before joining the duty. The Daily said he enjoyed strong political patronage.
News
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
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.
News
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
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.
News
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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.



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