Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a detailed probe into a controversial gated housing project in Solan over alleged violations of land laws. A Solan Sub-Divisional Magistrate's inquiry found the Chester Hills project involved indirect sales to non-agriculturists from outside the state. The move comes amid sparring between top officials.
The Chester Hills-2 and -4 housing project in Solan district's Ber Khas was registered with the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority in 2019, with extensions approved in 2023 for 228 flats priced between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 90 lakh. Hans Raj Thakur, an agriculturist from Mandi, is listed as the promoter, but the Solan SDM's probe revealed substantive control by non-agriculturist promoters Aditya Singla and Arpit Kumar Garg of M/s Chester Hills.
On August 20, 2025, local resident Rajiv Shandil and an association of allottees complained to SDM Poonam Bansal. Her report concluded that around 275 bighas of land were acquired quickly for projects worth nearly Rs 47.09 crore, with development, marketing, and finances handled by non-agriculturists, violating Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act. The section restricts agricultural land transfers to non-agriculturists without state approval.
Acting Chief Secretary (Revenue) Sanjay Gupta initially called the December probe "prima facie violative of settled law" but later ruled on December 6 that it overlooked the law's intent to protect agriculturists. On Tuesday, Gupta accused former Chief Secretaries Prabodh Saxena and R D Dhiman of trying to malign him.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated on Wednesday, "If something wrong has happened, definite action will be taken." The government had introduced a Bill in December 2025 to amend Section 118 but withdrew it to a select committee amid protests.
