An extensive 25-page investigative report by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Poonam Bansal has ignited significant political and administrative turmoil in Himachal Pradesh. The document claims serious violations of Section 118 of the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act of 1972, linked to a high-value gated community project known as Chester Hills. This situation has led to a confrontation between local officials and senior state authorities, with accusations of corruption escalating to the office of the Acting Chief Secretary.
Chester Hills, a luxury residential development registered with the HP Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in 2019, is situated in Solan. The project is being promoted by NG Estate, with Sudershan Singla and Megh Raj as partners, while Hans Raj Thakur, a local agriculturist from Mandi, is officially listed as the legal promoter.
The investigation specifically examines Chester Hills-2 and Chester Hills-4, which together include 228 apartments. Central to the inquiry is the question of whether Thakur genuinely acts as a developer or serves merely as a “front” for non-agriculturist real estate investors.
In August 2025, local resident Rajiv Shandil, along with an Allottees Association, lodged complaints alleging violations of Section 118, claiming that the use of a local agriculturist was a tactic to circumvent restrictions on non-locals acquiring agricultural land.
Shandil also asserted that partners Aditya Singla and Arpit Kumar Garg, who are non-agriculturists, exert actual financial and managerial control over the project. He pointed out that the profits from marketing and sales are directed towards non-agriculturist entities, despite the land being officially owned by Thakur.
In her report, submitted on November 13, 2025, SDM Poonam Bansal outlined several concerning findings from field inspections and revenue audits:
1. The report indicated that while the title to the property is held by Hans Raj Thakur, the actual “substantive control, development, and marketing” is conducted by the non-agriculturist company managing Chester Hills.
2. It was noted that from 2015 to 2023, Thakur and his family acquired 275 bighas of premium land in Solan and Kasauli. The project’s estimated value stands at Rs 47.09 crore, a figure that the SDM found to be inconsistent with Thakur’s modest income tax filings.
3. The investigation revealed that a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) was abruptly terminated in January 2025, which was subsequently replaced by a General Power of Attorney (GPA). The SDM characterized this change as a “colourable device” intended to disguise an illegal transfer of ownership rights.
4. Furthermore, the investigation uncovered that Sudershan Singla acted as a guarantor for an Rs 8 crore loan taken by Thakur in 2017, indicating a significant financial connection between them.
According to Section 118, only “Himachali agriculturists” are permitted to own agricultural land in the state. Non-agriculturists must obtain government approval for specific developments. The report contends that by utilizing Thakur as a “benami” owner, the developers sidestepped the necessary state authorizations.
The recommendations made in the report, which include state acquisition of the land and referrals to the Income Tax Department and enforcement agencies, faced immediate pushback from higher authorities.
Acting Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta issued a letter dismissing the SDM’s recommendations, claiming the investigation was “violative of the law” and asserting that acting on it would harm the interests of local agriculturists who had legitimately secured bank loans.
On March 24, 2026, Advocate Vinay Sharma lodged a police complaint against Gupta, alleging that he was protecting the developers and obstructing the Solan Deputy Commissioner from filing a formal complaint.
Gupta has denied these accusations, stating to The Indian Express that he was not the RERA Chairman when the permissions were granted and claiming to be a victim of a “bureaucratic lobby” attempting to undermine his service extension by involving him in the scandal.
The situation has now evolved into a significant political issue, with MLAs from the BJP and CPI(M) calling for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and urging intervention from Chief Minister Sukhu. Meanwhile, the original complainants have reportedly retracted their allegations, adding further intrigue to the investigation surrounding one of Himachal Pradesh’s largest land-use controversies.
Saurabh Parashar serves as an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, focusing on coverage related to Himachal Pradesh. With over 17 years of experience in print journalism, he specializes in crime, legal matters, and investigative reporting.
Parashar holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University. His legal expertise enhances his reporting on complex judicial and administrative topics.
Before his tenure at The Indian Express, which began in 2017, he worked for 12 years at The Times of India. His core journalistic focus includes the socio-political dynamics of the hill state, emphasizing environmental issues, forest conservation, drug challenges, and governance in high-altitude regions.
Recently, he has reported on critical issues intersecting policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh, including investigations into drug vulnerabilities in border areas and the impact of infrastructure projects on local environments.
