Theog Water Tanker Scam: 2026: The Himachal Pradesh Vigilance Bureau has filed a chargesheet against nine officials and contractors in connection with an alleged ₹1.13 crore scam in water tanker supply during the severe water crisis in Theog sub-division of Shimla district last year.
The scam occurred between February and June 2025 when Theog and surrounding areas faced acute shortage of drinking water. According to the Vigilance investigation, large-scale irregularities were committed in the supply of water through tankers.
During the probe, it was revealed that the registration numbers of tankers mentioned in official records actually belonged to scooters, motorcycles and private cars. In a more glaring irregularity, fake bills were prepared showing water supply through tankers to two villages that are not even connected by motorable roads.
The Vigilance Bureau has named junior engineers, clerks, executive engineers and contractors as accused in the case. It was found that work was awarded to favourite contractors without following the tender process. Instead of lifting water from the designated Leloo Pull source as per tender conditions, contractors allegedly filled water from nullahs (streams) and supplied it to villagers.
The junior engineer is accused of preparing fake bills without any verification, which were then forwarded by the executive engineer. Payments were released by the SDM office without conducting physical verification on the ground.
The Vigilance team recorded statements of around 120 people during the course of the investigation. Following a preliminary inquiry, the state government had suspended 10 officials and ordered blacklisting of the contractors involved in the scam.
The case first came to light when former Theog MLA Rakesh Singha exposed the irregularities through information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Singha’s revelations prompted the government to order a Vigilance probe into the matter.
According to the chargesheet, more than one crore rupees were paid to contractors in the name of water tanker supply. Serious questions have been raised over the role of officials who cleared the bills and released payments without proper checks.
This case has once again highlighted serious governance issues and lack of accountability in the Jal Shakti Department during emergency situations like drought and water scarcity. The development has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who have demanded strict action against all those involved.
The Vigilance Bureau has submitted the chargesheet in the competent court and further legal proceedings are expected to begin soon. The accused officials and contractors will now face trial in the case.
The people of Theog had suffered immensely due to the water crisis last year, and the alleged diversion of funds meant for emergency water supply has caused widespread anger among residents of the area.
