CBI Begins Probe into Vimal Negi Case: FIR Registered in Delhi, SIT Formed Under DSP’s Leadership
Shimla, May 27:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially launched its investigation into the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer at Himachal Power Corporation. Following a directive from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, the case has now been handed over to the CBI, and an FIR has been registered in Delhi under IPC Section 108 (abetment to suicide) and Section 3(5).
A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted for the probe, led by DSP Brijendra Prasad Singh. The team also includes Inspector Pradeep Kumar and Sub-Inspector Nilesh Singh. The SIT is expected to arrive in Shimla shortly to begin a thorough review of the incident site and all relevant documents.
The case first came to light on March 19 when Vimal Negi’s wife, Kiran Negi, filed a complaint at the New Shimla police station, alleging that her husband had been under severe mental harassment by Deshraj, the then Director (Electrical) of the Power Corporation, which she claims drove him to take his own life.
On May 23, the High Court, noting the seriousness of the allegations, ordered the case to be transferred to the CBI. The court also specified that no Himachal-based officer would be involved in the probe, to ensure complete impartiality. Dissatisfied with the initial investigation by Shimla Police, the deceased’s family had appealed to the court for a CBI inquiry.
The court found several contradictions in the preliminary investigation report submitted by Shimla Police, as well as in the affidavit filed by State DGP Dr. Atul Verma. These inconsistencies, coupled with the concerns raised by the family, led the court to reassign the case to a central agency.
The High Court’s decision sparked notable unrest within the state administration. A day after the order, Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi held a press conference accusing the DGP of submitting a misleading and irresponsible affidavit. In response, the DGP recommended the SP’s suspension to the Home Department, citing gross indiscipline.
Negi Went Missing on March 10, Body Recovered on March 18
Vimal Negi was reported missing from Shimla under suspicious circumstances on March 10. Eight days later, on March 18, his body was recovered from the Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur district. The case had been under a cloud of doubt from the outset, but contradictions in police reports and mounting public pressure have now brought it under the national spotlight.
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