Vimal Negi Death Case: ASI Pankaj Sharma Moves High Court, Hearing Scheduled for August 20

Shimla, July 31

A new development has emerged in the high-profile and mysterious death case of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). ASI Pankaj Sharma, the officer who initially investigated the case, has approached the Himachal Pradesh High Court, alleging a violation of his personal liberty.

The petition was heard on Wednesday by Justice Ajay Mohan Goel. During the hearing, the court allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to be added as Respondent No. 5 in the case, as requested in a separate application submitted with the petition.

In his plea, Sharma stated that CCTV cameras have been installed at his residence and security has been deployed, which he claims infringes on his personal freedom. The court has ordered the updated memo of parties to be placed on record and has directed all respondents to file their replies by August 20, when the matter will be heard next.

ASI Pankaj Sharma is currently posted at Sadar Police Station in Shimla. He was among the first officers to recover Vimal Negi’s body from the Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur on March 18. Negi had gone missing on March 10 from the HPPCL headquarters in New Shimla.

Recently, the CBI raided Sharma’s residence and reportedly recovered documents deemed crucial to the investigation. It is alleged that Sharma took possession of Negi’s pen drive and laptop in Bilaspur and deleted sensitive data from them. The CBI is now closely examining this digital evidence to uncover the real cause behind Negi’s death.

So far, over 90 people have been questioned in connection with the case, including several HPPCL employees. Based on Sharma’s statements, the CBI is also considering turning some employees into witnesses.

The CBI has registered a case under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Section 108 relates to abetment of suicide and carries a maximum punishment of up to 10 years in prison along with a fine.

It’s worth noting that Negi’s body was recovered from the Bhakra Dam on March 18, eight days after he went missing. Following a petition filed by his wife, the High Court handed over the case to the CBI. In a controversial move, the Sukhvinder Sukhu-led state government has reinstated Desh Raj, the former Director of HPPCL, who had been suspended in connection with the case. He has now been reappointed as Chief Engineer in the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board.