Vimal Negi Case: Partial Relief for SP Sanjeev Gandhi from High Court; LPA Admitted, Next Hearing on July 14
SP Sanjeev Gandhi
Shimla, June 5:
In a significant development in the suspicious death case of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation’s Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted partial relief to Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi by admitting his Letters Patent Appeal (LPA). The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 14.
A division bench comprising Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma accepted the appeal, noting that the decision was made in consideration of the personal and professional reputation of SP Gandhi and the other SIT members involved in the initial investigation.
However, the court made it clear that it would not interfere with the earlier decision to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in order to ensure a fair and impartial probe. Additionally, the court has issued notices to the then Director General of Police and the Home Secretary, seeking their response to Gandhi’s appeal.
Currently on medical leave, SP Sanjeev Gandhi has filed the appeal in his personal capacity. In his petition, Gandhi has requested that the investigation conducted by the SIT be granted the status of a “privileged document” and be kept under reconsideration. He also urged the court to constitute a new, independent SIT under the direct supervision of the High Court to eliminate any doubts regarding the impartiality of the central agency’s probe. Further, he has asked the court to summon all records and documents related to the case to ensure full transparency.
The case stems from a petition filed by Vimal Negi’s wife, Kiran Negi, who had raised serious concerns over discrepancies in the police investigation and had sought a CBI inquiry. The High Court, observing inconsistencies in the initial probe, transferred the investigation to the CBI. Subsequently, the state government placed then DGP Atul Verma, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma, and SP Sanjeev Gandhi on leave. DGP Verma has since retired on May 31, and the responsibilities of the other officers have been reassigned.
Vimal Negi went missing under mysterious circumstances on March 10. His body was recovered eight days later from the Gobind Sagar Lake. The initial investigation was led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Shimla Police, which probed the case for over a month and a half. Dissatisfied with the SIT’s findings, Negi’s wife alleged bias and moved the High Court, demanding a CBI inquiry. The CBI is now camping in Shimla and has taken custody of all relevant records from the local police.
Relief Extended for Former HP Power Corporation MD Harikesh Meena
In a related development, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has extended the interim bail of Harikesh Meena, the then Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation, who is also under scrutiny in the case. During Thursday’s hearing, the CBI opposed the bail extension and expressed its intent to formally become a party to the proceedings by filing an application.
The court directed the CBI to file the necessary petition. The next hearing in Meena’s case has been scheduled for June 16.
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