Vimal Negi death case: Himachal Pradesh CM says won’t challenge HC order transferring probe to CBI | Chandigarh News
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday announced that his govt will not challenge the high court’s decision to transfer the investigation into the death of HPPCL general manager Vimal Negi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat following his return from New Delhi, the chief minister assured full cooperation with the central agency and reiterated the govt’s commitment to securing justice for the victim’s family.However, Sukhu expressed displeasure over a high court remark suggesting that no Himachal cadre officer be involved in the CBI probe. “How many judges in the Himachal high court are related to Himachal?” he asked. “It raises a question mark, and that is why I say we should avoid such comments,” he added.The high court, in a ruling on May 23 by a bench led by Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, transferred the case to the CBI, citing serious concerns over the manner in which the special investigation team (SIT), led by Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi, had handled the probe.Negi had been missing since March 10, and his body was recovered from Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur on March 18. His family raised suspicions about the involvement of his senior officials, prompting demands for a fair and impartial investigation.When asked about allegations levelled by Shimla SP Gandhi against director general of police (DGP) Atul Verma, the CM said he was still gathering feedback and would soon chair a review meeting. He emphasised that indiscipline by any officer would not be tolerated.On the DGP’s recommendation to suspend SP Gandhi for alleged misconduct, Sukhu stated that he had not yet seen the letter. “If the media has access to the letter, it is a matter that warrants inquiry,” he said.The CM accused the opposition BJP of politicising Negi’s death from the outset. He added that had the deceased officer’s family approached him directly for a CBI probe, he would have willingly handed over the case to the central agency.On contradictory reports filed by additional chief secretary (home) Onkar Chand Sharma, DGP Verma, and SP Gandhi, the CM said that Sharma’s report had been submitted to him earlier and was forwarded to the advocate general for legal opinion. “The report should have included the statements of officers facing allegations,” he noted, adding that Sharma had recommended the formation of a special team instead.Sukhu also highlighted allegations made by Vipin Guleria, head of the Pekhubela solar power project in Una, regarding the disbursement of Rs 170 crore and accusations against director (electrical) Desh Raj and managing director Harikesh Meena. He stressed that statements from these officers should have been recorded during the investigation.On a related note, the CM said he was unaware of the DGP submitting an affidavit directly to the high court without routing it through the advocate general’s office. “I was in Delhi, and it appears that a lot transpired in my absence,” he remarked.
