Unraveling the Aftermath of the Shimla Gas Blast: A Restaurant Owner's Plight

The Impact of the Shimla Gas Explosion

S Gopal Puri

Shimla: On July 18, 2023, a gas explosion at the Himachal Rasoi restaurant in Shimla left its 38-year-old owner facing a devastating aftermath. The incident not only shattered his life but also sparked a series of events that raise serious concerns about the potential abuse of authority, institutional failures, and the diminishing trust of the public.

Recently, IPS officer Sanjeev Gandhi made shocking allegations suggesting that the National Security Guard (NSG) may have been involved in either planting or inaccurately reporting traces of RDX in connection with the blast. If proven accurate, these claims would indicate a troubling level of institutional overreach, where an ordinary citizen could be sacrificed for personal or political motives.

A CID report from May 8, 2025, contradicts the narrative surrounding RDX. It reveals that the NSG did not collaborate with local police, collected samples in unsealed containers, and operated without neutral witnesses, all of which are serious breaches of standard investigative procedures. Alarmingly, this national agency arrived at the scene four days post-incident, casting further doubt on the credibility of its findings.

Amidst this bureaucratic turmoil, the plight of the restaurant owner has been largely overlooked. Accused of involvement in a case related to explosives, he, a man with no prior criminal record, has seen his mental well-being, livelihood, and family life severely impacted. While officials squabbled over jurisdiction and narratives, his dignity was lost in the chaos.

Did anyone consider what he did to deserve this?

This situation exemplifies the human cost of systemic failures. In a country that upholds the principle of equality before the law, how did a restaurant owner become a suspect in a terrorism-related investigation without substantial evidence, due process, or accountability?

The government must urgently address this issue. The deterioration of systems, where agencies operate without transparency and ordinary citizens become collateral damage, poses a threat to the very foundation of our democracy.

This matter transcends the misfortune of one individual; it reflects the quality of governance we are experiencing. The Congress party has often accused the BJP of misusing central agencies. However, if the NSG's actions in this case were influenced under a Congress-led administration in Himachal Pradesh, does that not reveal the same underlying issues, albeit with different players in power?

Where can the average citizen turn when the system designed to protect them turns hostile? The government must publicly commit to an impartial investigation to restore the principles of justice and democracy. Without accountability, public trust in the system diminishes—something no democracy can afford.