- By Raju Kumar
- Thu, 29 May 2025 12:10 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Vimal Negi Death Case: The death of Vimal Negi, a Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Chief Engineer triggered a political outrage in Himachal Pradesh. Negi's family alleged harassment and abetment to suicide by seniors. Negi's body was recovered from the Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur district on March 18 after he went missing on March 10.
Govt Slams Opposition BJP
Naresh Chauhan, the Principal Media Advisor to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly politicising the tragic death of engineer Vimal Negi.
Chauhan accused the BJP of exploiting the incident for political mileage, despite the state government taking unprecedented disciplinary action against senior officials.
Speaking to reporters in Shimla, Chauhan said that the BJP is trying to get political benefits from the death of the HPPCL Engineer, Vimal Negi.
"The BJP has been politicising the unfortunate death of Vimal Negi from day one. We do not believe the BJP has even an ounce of genuine sympathy for his family. They are simply trying to cook political rotis over a human tragedy," he said.
He emphasised that the state government acted promptly and transparently in response to the demands of Negi's grieving family.
More Scandals Involving CM Office Will Surface: BJP
On the other side, the BJP, demanded a broader CBI investigation into the death of Vimal Negi in suspicious circumstances. The party alleged that the case involves corruption and administrative failure, with possible links to the Chief Minister's Office.
"There's clear evidence of administrative failure, corruption, and attempts to suppress facts -- the CBI investigation must expand to all angles, including the CM's office," said Harsh Mahajan, BJP MP.
While speaking with ANI in Shimla, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan claimed that the government has tried to hide facts and divert the investigation. He pointed out that the orders from the court are shocking and demanded that the CBI probe be expanded to cover all aspects, including fake solar projects.
After CBI Takes Over Case, Top Cops Sent On Leave
The Congress government in the state sent top functionaries -- Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma and Additional Chief Secretary (CS) (Home) Onkar Sharma, and Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi on leave for "indiscipline"
This comes in the wake of the CBI registering a first information report (FIR) on the direction of the High Court in the death of the HPPCL Chief Engineer.
DGP Verma, the 1991-batch IPS officer, due to retire on May 31, has been replaced by Ashok Tiwari, the 1993-batch IPS officer currently posted as DGP (Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau). He has been given the additional charge of the DGP.DGP Verma and Additional Chief Secretary Sharma have been accused of filing status reports before the High Court relating to the Chief Engineer's death case without getting them vetted through the Advocate General, while Superintendent of Police Gandhi had accused DGP's staff of having links with a drug-peddling syndicate.
However, the DGP had already recommended Gandhi's suspension. The latter was heading the Special Investigating Team (SIT) formed by the government.
(With agencies inputs)
