Vimal Negi Death Case: CBI Takes Over Probe, Police and Administration Under Scanner

Shimla, May 29:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over the probe into the mysterious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation’s Chief Engineer, Vimal Negi. Acting on the orders of the High Court, a CBI team arrived in Shimla from Delhi on Thursday. Led by DSP Brajendra Prasad Singh, the team is expected to formally begin its investigation on Friday.

The agency has registered a case under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which includes Inspector Pradeep Kumar and Sub-Inspector Nilesh Singh. The CBI is likely to begin questioning employees of the Power Corporation and has initiated the process to take possession of investigation records compiled so far by the SIT of Shimla Police.

Vimal Negi went missing under suspicious circumstances on March 10. His body was discovered eight days later in the Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur district. Initially, the case was investigated by the Shimla Police’s SIT, which submitted its findings to the High Court after a month-and-a-half-long probe. However, Negi’s wife, Kiran Negi, expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, citing concerns about impartiality and seeking a fair and independent probe.

The High Court, upon reviewing Kiran Negi’s petition, cited significant lapses and contradictions in the police’s investigation and deemed the matter serious enough to warrant CBI intervention. The court found discrepancies in both the report submitted by Shimla Police and the affidavit filed by the state’s Director General of Police (DGP), raising judicial concerns about the credibility of the investigation.

The court’s decision to hand over the case to the CBI has caused a stir within the state’s administrative machinery. A day after the court’s directive, then Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi held a press conference in which he openly criticized DGP Dr. Atul Verma, calling his affidavit “misleading and irresponsible.” In response, the DGP wrote to the Home Department, recommending disciplinary action against Gandhi.

In light of the case’s sensitivity, the state government took swift action by sending three top officials on leave: Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Omkar Sharma, DGP Atul Verma, and SP Sanjeev Gandhi. The responsibilities of Omkar Sharma have been distributed among three other IAS officers, while Ashok Tiwari has been appointed the new DGP and Solan SP Gaurav Singh has been given additional charge as SP Shimla.

The case, now under the CBI’s scrutiny, continues to generate public interest and political ripples, with the focus squarely on uncovering the truth behind Vimal Negi’s death and ensuring accountability at all levels.