The 2 persons held by Shimla police for the charges of contamination of drinking water supply of capital town and endangering and causing loss of life of people with the outbreak of jaundice epidemic did not get respite from the Court as their bail applications were rejected today and they would continue to be in judicial custody for next hearing.
Superintendent of Shimla Mr. D.W. Negi said that accused Mr. Praneet Kumar (47 years) resident of Adahal village of Rohru and Manoj Verma (37 years) resident of Shanan village of Sanjauli both of Shimla district were arrested in the case recently.
Acting on the FIR registered by Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation under sections 269, 270, 277, 336, 326 of IPC & 43, 44 of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act at Police Station Dhalli, the two were in Judicial Custody under trail court in the case.
The outbreak has caused 3 deaths and more than 1500 patients were hospitalized and registered from Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur district. The District Administration has declared the outbreak epidemic and suspended the supply of the contaminated water in the affected areas.
The Contractor and two arrested were moved in Judicial Magistrate Court recently to seek bail, the court asked the three to be present in the court today however the contractor withdrew his bail application to save him from possible arrest as police may have to arrest him on denial of bail by the Court.
The Police are yet to put up challen against them, however the kingpin contractors of Sewerage Treatment Plant and other senior officers of the Irrigation and Public Health Department are at large as police did not arrest them.
