Shimla: In a startling development, Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla, Sanjeev Gandhi, has publicly alleged interference by senior officials in multiple investigations, including the high-profile Vimal Negi case. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Gandhi accused top bureaucrats and political figures of exerting undue pressure on police operations.
Gandhi claimed that certain senior police officials misused the National Security Guard (NSG) to introduce RDX into the investigation of a recent cylinder blast in Shimla. He also stated that he had filed a petition against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sudhir Sharma for allegedly sharing a court video on social media, violating legal protocols.
Further, Gandhi alleged that he faced pressure from the Chief Secretary concerning the Ramakrishna Mission incident in Shimla, where violence had erupted on the ashram premises, injuring several individuals, including police personnel. He suggested that the former Deputy Commissioner of Shimla played a questionable role in this matter.
Regarding the ongoing investigation into the death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) General Manager Vimal Negi, Gandhi asserted that the Director General of Police (DGP) had negatively influenced the probe. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring justice in Negi’s case, despite facing internal challenges.
These revelations come in the wake of the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s decision to transfer the Negi case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing dissatisfaction with the Special Investigation Team’s handling of the matter. The court criticized the SIT, led by SP Gandhi, for its lack of a serious inquiry and for overlooking allegations of pressure on Negi by senior officials.
The state government and the officials named by Gandhi have yet to respond to these allegations. The situation continues to evolve, with potential implications for the state’s administrative and political landscape.
S Gopal Puri
