SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) reserved its verdict in the high-profile case involving the mysterious death of Power Corporation Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, raising critical questions about police conduct, administrative accountability and the possibility of a CBI probe.
Justice Ajay Mohan Goel presided over the matter with expectations of a formal ruling within the next few days.
HC halts filing of chargesheet without approval
In a significant directive, the High Court barred the Shimla police from filing a chargesheet in the case without prior court permission. The move signals judicial concern over the manner in which the local investigation has been handled thus far.
Two crucial reports submitted to High Court:
• A government-commissioned administrative inquiry report prepared by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Chand Sharma.
• A 134-page fact-finding report prepared by the state police.
The High Court has officially placed both reports on record.
State opposes public disclosure of reports
During the hearing, Advocate General Anup Rattan urged the court not to make the submitted reports public, arguing that the investigation is still ongoing. He emphasised the government’s intent for a free, fair and impartial probe, noting that the Chief Minister himself had ordered the inquiry.
The state government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) after the discovery of Negi’s body. A separate SIT had earlier been formed by the Director General of Police (DGP) when Negi went missing. The second SIT reportedly recovered a concealed pen drive, allegedly hidden by an official from the first team, adding to the mystery surrounding the investigation.
Family alleges mental harassment and high-level pressure
Advocates representing the family of the deceased have made serious allegations against senior officials of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation. They claim former Director Deshraj, ex-Managing Director Harikesh Meena and IAS officer Shivam Pratap subjected Vimal Negi to intense mental harassment, pressuring him to engage in unethical activities.
“Negi was held for long hours in the office and was under extreme psychological stress,” the family’s lawyer told the court. The family alleged that the death was not a suicide, but part of a larger conspiracy.
Post-mortem raises timeline questions
According to the post-mortem report, Vimal Negi had been dead for at least three days before his body was found. He had been missing since March 10, further deepening suspicions regarding the circumstances of his death.
The case is also being tentatively linked to the alleged Pehkubela Project scam, a development project reportedly mired in financial irregularities. This connection has been mentioned in the investigation report, further fuelling speculation of foul play at high levels.
Petition seeks CBI investigation
Given the family’s serious doubts about the impartiality of the state-led inquiry, their legal team has formally requested the transfer of the case to the CBI. They have also demanded that the ACS Onkar Sharma’s report be made public, a plea the court has yet to grant.
The government maintains that the report will be disclosed at an appropriate time, assuring that justice will be delivered both to the grieving family and in action against any erring officials.
Munish Sood
