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In a major development that could rattle the state administration, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation.
Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, in an open court hearing on Friday, cited glaring discrepancies in the police investigation as grounds for the transfer. The decision comes as a sigh of relief for Negi’s grieving family, who have long demanded a fair and independent probe, but it’s a significant setback for the Sukhvinder Sukkhu-led government, which had been resisting a CBI inquiry from the outset.
Contradictory Reports Raise Eyebrows
In its detailed observation, the court pointed to serious contradictions between the reports filed by the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Superintendent of Police (SP). The court noted that such inconsistencies cast doubt on the integrity of the investigation, making a central agency probe not just necessary but imperative.
A pivotal piece of evidence— a pen drive— lies at the center of the controversy. According to the DGP’s report, the pen drive was formatted on March 21, three days after Negi’s body was recovered on March 18. The crucial question remains unanswered: who formatted the drive, why, and on whose instructions? In contrast, the SP’s status report submitted to the court claims that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) did not receive the case file, including the pen drive, until April 4— intensifying the mystery.
Was There a Cover-Up?
Allegations of a deliberate cover-up have surfaced, with Negi’s family and supporters accusing the government of shielding two key accused— Deshraj, Director (Electrical) of the Power Corporation and Negi’s immediate senior, and IAS officer Harikesh Meena. Even after the High Court cancelled Deshraj’s bail, the police failed to arrest him. He later secured interim relief from the Supreme Court.
A Wife’s Pursuit for Justice Bears Fruit
It was Vimal Negi’s widow, Kiran Negi, who knocked on the doors of the High Court demanding a CBI probe. On Friday, the court granted her plea, renewing hope that the truth will finally come to light.
Reacting to the verdict, Vimal Negi’s brother Surender Negi said, “We never lost faith in the judiciary. Today’s order rekindles our hope that the culprits will be brought to justice and Vimal will get the justice he deserves.”
