Shimla, Aug. 23 -- The Himachal Pradesh high court has suspended construction of a 144-metre link road from Shimla-Mandi road to Schilthorn Top near Baldeyan, Mashobra Range, with immediate effect following allegations that forest land was diverted and trees felled to benefit a private individual.

A division bench comprising chief justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Bipin C Negi passed the interim order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Nageshwar Singh Kanwar. The court directed that all construction activity at the site remain suspended until the next hearing, scheduled for September 15, 2026.

The petitioner alleged that the authorities granted permission on April 27, 2026, for diversion of forest land on the sta...