- विज्ञापन -
Shimla: A hearing was conducted today in the Himachal High Court regarding the death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer of the Power Corporation. The court has now reserved its verdict after listening to arguments from both sides.
During the proceedings, Negi’s lawyer, Rajiv Roy, revealed that both the police and the investigation agencies appear to be engaged in a blame game, as per the report from DGP-SP. He criticized the investigation, claiming that evidence had been tampered with and crucial materials were not properly preserved, leading to questions over the investigation’s fairness.
Advocate RK Bawa informed the court that officials including the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), DGP, and SP Shimla had submitted detailed status reports, and the arguments have now concluded. The court is set to deliver its judgment shortly.
One key issue discussed today was the case of a pen drive recovered from Negi’s pocket. It was revealed that the pen drive was kept by ASI Pankaj, a fact confirmed by SP Shimla, Sanjeev Gandhi, who also stated that Pankaj had been suspended after the discovery. The report from the DGP also highlighted concerns over the handling and storage of evidence.
The investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has requested an additional two weeks to complete its probe, according to Advocate General Anup Ratna. The investigation began on March 15, and crucial documents—around 15,000 files stored on the recovered pen drive—are being examined.
The court questioned the delay in elevating the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), asking what obstacles prevent this step. Advocate Ratna explained that the police’s morale could be affected, and the family of Negi has demanded a CBI probe, citing their distrust in the current investigation.
Negi went missing on March 10; his death was reportedly confirmed only after postmortem reports surfaced three days later. The police struggled to locate him during those critical days. Furthermore, after the power corporation’s director, Desraj, obtained anticipatory bail from the Supreme Court—without opposition from Himachal government lawyers—the police did not arrest him. When Negi’s body was recovered, the family was not called to witness the scene, further deepening their mistrust.
Negi’s family has also accused Power Corporation MD Harikesh Meena, Director Desraj, and another director, Shivam Pratap Singh, of harassment. Following protests outside the Power Corporation office on March 19, an FIR was lodged against Desraj at the New Shimla Police Station, as well as additional FIRs against the MD and Director Personnel. The police investigation into these allegations is ongoing.
As the court prepares to deliver its decision, questions surrounding the investigation’s fairness and transparency remain at the forefront of public and family concern.
