M A I N   N E W S

IAS officer booked for forgery
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 24
The police today booked Mr S.K. Chaudhari, an IAS officer who allegedly got appointment as Joint Secretary to the Himachal government on the basis of a forged letter.

He has been charged with forgery and cheating.

His appointment was made on the basis of a letter sent from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the state government recommending his case for posting him as joint secretary. A Supreme Court judgement was also cited to support it.

The government become suspicious about the letter and the matter was taken up with the authorities concerned in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was revealed that no letter of recommendation had been sent and the letter received by the Himachal government was fake.

The police suspect that the letter was sent in connivance with Mr S. Bhatia and Mr G.S. Grover, two officials of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. They have also been booked in the case.

In another case a private Tata Mobile (Car Registration No H.P.-03-3393) hit the escort vehicle of former Himachal Chief Minister, P.K. Dhumal, near Ghannatti, 15 km from here last night. Four security personnels were injured in accident. A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC has been registered against the driver of the private vehicle.

The Chopal police seized illicit liquor worth Rs 25,000 during a “Naka” at Nerwa. A case has been registered under the Excise Act and three persons arrested.