Vimal Negi Case: Sanjeev Gandhi Challenges CBI Probe in High Court, Seeks SIT Under Judicial Supervision

Shimla, May 31:
In a fresh twist to the mysterious death case of Vimal Negi, suspended Shimla SP and former head of the initial Special Investigation Team (SIT), Sanjeev Gandhi, has filed a Letter Patent Appeal (LPA) in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Gandhi has challenged the court’s earlier order handing over the investigation to the CBI, instead requesting the formation of an independent SIT under the supervision of the High Court.

On May 23, the High Court had ordered a CBI probe based on a petition filed by Kiran Negi, the wife of the deceased, who alleged bias in the original investigation.

In his appeal, Gandhi argued that since the CBI and other central agencies function under the Government of India, the potential for conflict of interest cannot be ruled out. To ensure transparency and fairness, he urged the court to constitute an independent SIT and oversee the investigation directly.

He also requested the court to summon all records and documents related to the case to facilitate a thorough and unbiased review of the facts.

In a significant allegation, Gandhi accused DGP Dr. Atul Verma of submitting a biased affidavit to the court, claiming it was an attempt to misrepresent the SIT’s investigation. He sought to have the affidavit removed from the record along with any court remarks based on it.

Calling attention to the sensitive nature of the case, Gandhi urged the court to issue all necessary directions to ensure justice.

Interestingly, Gandhi filed the appeal in his personal capacity while on medical leave. The state government, meanwhile, had previously clarified that it would not contest the High Court’s order for a CBI investigation. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reiterated this position in a recent press briefing, stating the government would fully cooperate with the CBI.

Gandhi’s move to openly question the DGP has sparked political and administrative ripples. In response, the state government placed DGP Atul Verma, SP Sanjeev Gandhi, and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma on leave.

Ashok Tiwari has since been appointed acting DGP, while Gaurav Singh, SP Solan, has been given additional charge of Shimla.

The development has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma questioned the government’s intentions, alleging it was trying to complicate the case and avoid CBI scrutiny. “If the Chief Minister has publicly stated that the government won’t appeal the CBI order, how is an SP on medical leave allowed to challenge it?” he asked. Sharma further inquired whether Gandhi had the necessary government approval or No Objection Certificate (NOC) to file the appeal, and if not, whether this constituted a violation of the state’s litigation policy.

CBI Begins Probe in Shimla

Meanwhile, a four-member CBI team led by DSP Brijendra Prasad Singh has arrived in Shimla and officially commenced its investigation. Sources say the team has begun reviewing case files at the New Shimla Police Station.

Vimal Negi was reported missing under mysterious circumstances on March 10. Eight days later, his body was recovered from Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur district. While the initial investigation was carried out by a Shimla police SIT, his wife later called it biased and sought a CBI probe, which the court granted.