Shimla, June 6 -- Former Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority chairman and ex-chief secretary Shrikant Baldi and former deputy advocate general Vinay Sharma has been booked under defamation charges on the complaint of state's ex-chief secretary Sanjay Gupta. In a complaint in Chhota Shimla police station, Gupta accused Vinay Sharma of levelling false, malicious allegations against him, including those of corruption, abuse of office, benami property holdings illegal use of funds and administrative interference, intended to damage his reputation. After the complaint, a first information report (FIR) was filed against Sharma under BNS sections 248 (fabricated or baseless criminal charges with the explicit intent to injure or harass someone), 351 (Criminal Intimidation) and 356(2) (criminal defamation), police said on Friday. Gupta, who retired as chief secretary on May 31 and took charge as chairperson of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) on June 3, had in his complaint filed on May 30, said Sharma's complaint on March 24, was not supported by facts, legal provisions or documentary evidence. He alleged that the purpose of the complaint was not only to tarnish his personal image but also to undermine the dignity of the state's highest administrative office. Pointing out irregularities in the Chester Hill project in Solan district, Sharma had raised questions regarding a land transaction and alleged misuse of official position. Rejecting the allegations, Gupta maintained that the land purchase was carried out strictly in accordance with legal procedures. Gupta asserted that allegations of benami ownership or concealment of the transaction were baseless. He further pointed out that the property was registered in July 2025, whereas he assumed charge as chief secretary only on October 1, 2025. Therefore, allegations that he used the office of chief secretary to facilitate the transaction were factually incorrect, he said. Speaking to Hindustan Times Vinay Sharma, said, "Interestingly the police kept sitting on my complaint and instead of probing the same booked me. The case against me is registered at a time when the same issue is under consideration by the high court." Calls and messages made to Baldi did not get any response so far...