Vimal Negi Death Case: Accused Deshraj’s Anticipatory Bail Plea Rejected, Arrest Likely
HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi
Shimla, March 26 — The case surrounding the suspicious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Chief Engineer Vimal Negi took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as the Himachal Pradesh High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Deshraj, the former Director (Electricity) at HPPCL. This decision has raised the possibility of Deshraj’s imminent arrest, intensifying the legal and public pressure surrounding the case.
Deshraj had filed the anticipatory bail plea in a bid to avoid arrest. However, after a hearing, the single bench of the High Court reserved its verdict, which was delivered on Wednesday, denying him protection from arrest. The rejection of the anticipatory bail now allows the Shimla police to proceed with the arrest of Deshraj, a key suspect in the tragic death of Vimal Negi.
Vimal Negi’s Mysterious Death and Family Allegations
Vimal Negi, a senior officer at HPPCL, went missing on March 10, sparking immediate concern. His last known location was traced to Bilaspur district. However, it wasn’t until eight days later, on March 18, that his body was found in the Govind Sagar Lake. The discovery of his body raised numerous questions, and his family quickly pointed to foul play.
Negi’s wife, in her police complaint, accused Deshraj of pressuring her husband over alleged professional wrongdoings, causing him immense mental distress. The family believes that this harassment, combined with an overwhelming workload, led Negi to take his own life. They also alleged that Deshraj’s actions played a role in pushing Negi to the breaking point.
Protests and Government’s Swift Response
The death of Vimal Negi triggered widespread anger, especially among HPPCL employees and the deceased’s family. On March 19, members of the family, accompanied by HPPCL workers, staged a protest outside the corporation’s headquarters in Shimla, demanding justice and immediate action against the perpetrators. The demonstration continued until the intervention of four government ministers, who assured the family of a fair and transparent investigation.
In response to the growing public outcry, the state government took swift action. Deshraj, the accused, was suspended from his post, and HPPCL Managing Director (MD) Harikesh Meena was removed from office. Rakesh Prajapati, an IAS officer from the 2012 batch, was appointed as the new MD. Additionally, Surinder Kumar, the Director (Civil), was tasked with overseeing the responsibilities of the Director (Electrical) position.
Post-Mortem Findings and Investigation Developments
The initial post-mortem report of Vimal Negi revealed no external injury marks on his body, suggesting that he did not die from physical trauma. The report indicated that Negi had likely died 5-6 days before his body was found, raising further suspicions about the circumstances of his death. Shimla police have stated that they are continuing their investigation to uncover the true cause behind the death.
The police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) to probe the matter. As part of the ongoing investigation, three HPPCL officers, including Deshraj, are set to be questioned in the coming days.
Political Backlash and Calls for CBI Inquiry
The case has also sparked a political debate, with opposition parties demanding a thorough investigation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the state government for its handling of the case, calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. A BJP delegation, led by Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur and state BJP President Dr. Rajiv Bindal, met with Governor Shiv Prapat Shukla to submit a memorandum requesting a CBI inquiry into the matter.
Government to Submit Investigation Report in 15 Days
In an effort to ensure transparency, the state government has appointed Omkar Sharma, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, as the investigating officer for this case. Sharma is tasked with overseeing the probe and will be required to submit a detailed investigation report within 15 days.
As the investigation continues, the case remains under intense scrutiny, with both the public and political figures calling for justice for Vimal Negi and his family. The legal proceedings against Deshraj will likely remain in the spotlight as authorities work to determine the truth behind the tragic events.
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