Shimla: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team from Delhi has reached Shimla to begin its probe into the suspicious death of Vimal Negi, the Chief Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation.
The CBI has registered a case under charges of abetment to suicide and conspiracy, following the FIR filed by Shimla police.
Vehicles provided by Solan SP’s office
A special team led by a CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) arrived in Solan early morning and then proceeded to Shimla. The team includes an inspector, a stenographer and a constable.
Their primary objective is to gather investigation records from the local CBI office, which reportedly holds thousands of pages related to the case. Brajendra Prasad Singh has been appointed as the lead investigating officer. Local authorities are assisting the CBI with transportation, including vehicles provided by the Solan SP’s office.
FIR names former top officials of power corporation
The CBI registered the case on May 26 at its Special Crime Branch office in Delhi. The FIR has been lodged under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It is based on the earlier FIR filed by the Shimla police.
Two senior former officials of the power corporation —ex-Director Deshraj and former MD Harikesh Meena —have been named in the complaint. The case may potentially involve financial irregularities related to the Pekhubela project.
Govt reluctant to offer CBI state guest facilities
The Himachal Pradesh government appears hesitant to provide the CBI team accommodation at premium state guesthouses like Peterhoff or Circuit House (Willy Park), as was done during the infamous Gudiya case.
At that time, the tourism corporation billed the government lakhs of rupees that were never recovered. If the CBI demands official space for housing and operations, only standard rest houses are likely to be made available, said officials.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may also step in if financial misconduct is confirmed. The CBI is expected to question Vimal Negi’s family, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Chand Sharma, DGP Atul Verma, Shimla SP Sanjay Gandhi and SIT members as part of the probe.
Sunil Chadha
