Sunil Chadha
SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has extended interim relief for former Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Managing Director Harikesh Meena until June 5 in the Vimal Negi death case even as one of the investigation reports has levelled serious allegations of harassment, coercion and irregularities on top officials.
The case, now under the scrutiny of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has taken a grave tone with the family of former HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi accusing top officials of mental harassment, and that it allegedly led to the death.
CBI takes control as investigation widens
Following an appeal by Vimal Negi’s family, the Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered a CBI probe into the suspicious death of the HPPCL Chief Engineer. The body of Negi, missing since March 10, was found eight days later in Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur.
Based on a fact-finding inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Chand Sharma, the high court concluded that the case warranted deeper investigation by a central agency.
The CBI registered an FIR on May 26 under new provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, signalling the seriousness of the matter.
Testimonies point to harassment and abuse of power
A 66-page inquiry report submitted by Onkar Sharma unveiled alarming working conditions within the HPPCL. Statements from over 20 witnesses, including family members and senior staff, describe a toxic work environment.
The allegations include harassment and pressure on Negi to illegally authorise payments, threats to manipulate financial data related to the Pekhubella Solar Power Project in Una, verbal abuse and coercion to issue completion certificates favouring contractors.
Negi was reportedly forced to stand for hours holding files, reprimanded for minor leave requests and pushed to act against his judgment, eventually leading to extreme distress, the report claims.
Interim relief, but clouds darken over Meena
While the high court has extended interim relief to Harikesh Meena, it has also made the CBI a formal party to the case.
Meena has filed an anticipatory bail plea to avoid arrest and the court is set to hear arguments soon. Meanwhile, former Director Deshraj, also named in the FIR, has secured temporary relief from the Supreme Court.
The ongoing investigation could be pivotal in uncovering a potential case of abetment to suicide, misuse of official position and systemic failure.
