The Himachal Pradesh High Court has transferred the investigation into the mysterious death of HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi to the CBI.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: The Himachal Pradesh High Court handed over the investigation into the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Justice Ajay Goyal of the High Court delivered this important decision on Friday, following a petition filed by Negi’s wife, Kiran Negi.
Vimal Negi went missing on March 10, and tragically, his body was recovered eight days later on March 18 from the Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur district. The circumstances around his death raised many questions, prompting his family to demand a detailed and unbiased investigation.
Kiran Negi approached the court, saying that her husband was being harassed by his senior officials for the past six months.
According to her, “her husband was tortured by his superior officials for the past six months, who also misbehaved with him.” She further alleged that “her husband was forced to work till late at night even when he was ill.”
Taking these serious allegations into account, Justice Ajay Goyal ordered that the case be transferred to the CBI. He also directed that no officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre should be associated with the investigation. This decision was confirmed by R K Bawa, advocate for the petitioner.
The state government, represented by Advocate General Anup Rattan, did not oppose the court’s decision but maintained that the investigation so far had been conducted fairly.
ALSO READ: Kerala High Court Rejects Bail Plea of Accused Jolly Joseph in Koodathayi Murders Case
Rattan stated:
“While we are not averse to any investigation by any party, the probe carried out by the SIT was fair and transparent. As of now, we will not file an appeal challenging the (high court) order.”
Interestingly, during the hearing held on Wednesday, Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma expressed doubts over the impartiality of the special investigation team (SIT).
Despite this, Advocate General Rattan stood by the SIT and said “It was being conducted properly without any bias.”
After Vimal Negi’s body was found, his grieving family staged a protest by sitting with his body outside the HPPCL office in Shimla on March 19. They demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.
The demand was also supported by political leaders. Former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Jai Ram Thakur, welcomed the High Court’s decision.
He said “Now the matter will be investigated impartially and the truth will come out.”
In the aftermath of the incident, a formal criminal case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered. The charges include abetment to suicide and joint criminal liability. Those named in the case include the director (electrical) and managing director of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited.
While the court has issued its order, a copy of the full written judgment is still awaited.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
