Munish Sood
The Shimla police have intensified their investigation into the alleged suicide by Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, seizing crucial records from the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) office.
The action was taken after questioning officials and employees of the corporation’s electrical wing.
The police are examining the records to determine the circumstances that may have driven Chief Engineer Vimal Negi to take his own life.
Documents related to recent meetings, proceedings, his leave records and areas of responsibility have been taken into custody for further analysis.
Police form SIT, examine seized records
Despite Sunday being a holiday, the police ensured the corporation office was opened to collect records.
A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed, comprising ASP Navdeep Singh, DSP Shakti Singh and DSP-City Vikram Chauhan, along with other experienced officers.
The seized documents were scrutinised overnight on Saturday and Sunday as the police attempt to piece together events leading to Negi’s death.
Earlier, over 20 officials and employees from Chief Engineer Vimal Negi’s department had been interrogated to understand whether he was under undue stress.
Allegations of harassment under investigation
The police are also probing serious allegations made by the wife of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi against senior officials. She has accused them of pressuring her husband into signing on questionable decisions and making him wait for hours with files.
Investigators are verifying whether any show-cause notices or departmental inquiries had been initiated against him.
The police are closely examining relevant files and procedural documents to ascertain if any undue pressure was exerted on Chief Engineer Vimal Negi before his death.
Administrative inquiry begins today
Apart from the police investigation, the state government has ordered an administrative probe into Negi’s death, beginning Monday (March 24, 2025).
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Omkar Sharma has been tasked with leading the inquiry and is required to submit a report within 15 days. Employees of the power corporation are expected to be summoned for questioning.
Negi’s wife and several employees have already cited excessive work pressure as a contributing factor. Meanwhile, the opposition has raised the issue strongly in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, demanding accountability and a CBI probe.
The post-mortem report confirmed drowning as the cause of death, with no visible injury marks on the body.
Chief Engineer Vimal Negi had gone missing on March 10 while travelling from Shimla to Bilaspur, and his body was later recovered from the Gobind Sagar Lake near Bharari Bridge. The police had initially formed a three-member investigation team when he was reported missing, and their probe is now focused on uncovering any institutional factors that may have led to his death.
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