An engineer from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has alleged that he and another officer were assaulted by Himachal Pradesh's Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Anirudh Singh, during a site inspection on Monday.

According to the complaint filed by NHAI engineer Achal Jindal at the Dhalli police station, the incident occurred after a meeting called by the Shimla SDM to review the collapse of a multi-story building at Chamyana was cut short due to the SDM's absence. Jindal, along with site engineer Yogesh, then proceeded to Bhatakuffar, where four-laning work was in progress, and where the minister was also present with some locals.

Jindal stated that Minister Singh had previously inquired about the building collapse near the construction site at Chamyana. Jindal had informed the minister that the building was outside NHAI's jurisdiction, specifically the Right of Way, and that the state government was responsible for compensation in case of any damage, as per the agreement.

The situation reportedly escalated when, according to Jindal's complaint, Singh began using abusive language and allegedly assaulted Jindal and his site engineer in a local room. Both officers were admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla for treatment.

The alleged assault has drawn strong condemnation from opposition leaders. Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has strongly condemned the alleged physical assault on two NHAI officials in the presence of a state minister, police, and administration, calling it a “shameful and disgraceful act". Thakur stated that the officials were summoned, their phones and cameras forcibly turned off, and then assaulted inside a locked room, adding that supporters of the minister further attacked them outside, throwing flower pots and leaving them seriously injured. He criticized the SDM and police for failing to intervene or even ensure medical help and called the incident a grave failure of law and order. Thakur has demanded the immediate dismissal of the minister from the cabinet and prosecution of all those involved, further alleging attempts to suppress the matter and threats issued to media personnel and victims.

The incident has raised concerns about law and order in Himachal Pradesh, with Thakur accusing the state government of complicity and demanding the minister's dismissal. He claims media personnel were threatened and forced to switch off cameras before the officials were allegedly locked inside a room and brutally assaulted, further alleging that even after being dragged out of the room, the officials were further attacked by the minister's supporters.