SC takes cognizance of Himachal murder

New Delhi, May 2 The Supreme Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognizance of the killing of the Assistant Town Planner at Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh when she had gone to supervise the demolition of unauthorized construction at 13 guest houses and resorts.

Describing the killing Shaila Bala Sharma as "extremely serious", the bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta directed that the matter be placed before Chief Justice Dipak Misra for its listing before an appropriate bench.

Justice Lokur and Justice Gupta had directed the demolition of illegal structures in guest houses and resorts.