Shimla, Sept 14,
Nearly five months after the mysterious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation’s Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Shimla Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pankaj, a development that could trigger major revelations in the case. As per sources, Sharma was arrested from his parental village in Bilaspur.
Pankaj’s arrest is expected to shed light on why he allegedly kept and formatted a pen drive belonging to Negi. Investigators believe this digital device may hold key evidence about Negi’s death.
Negi went missing from Shimla on March 10, and his body was recovered from the Satluj river near Shahtalai on March 18. During the recovery, ASI Pankaj was present at the spot and is accused of taking possession of Negi’s pen drive, which was later recovered from him by the first SIT formed.
Since then, suspicion has surrounded Pankaj’s role, with questions raised about whether he withheld other evidence. Reports suggest the CBI may now also scrutinize details regarding Negi’s missing mobile phone, which remains untraced despite his family’s claim that it was with him at the time of his death.
The case has already seen booking of Sports Director Harikesh Meena and HPSEB Chief Engineer Deshraj, both currently on bail. The CBI had struggled to get their bail cancelled in higher courts and had faced criticism for delays in moving against Pankaj.
Earlier, Pankaj even approached the Himachal Pradesh High Court through his wife, challenging his near house-arrest-like situation in the police lines, and was granted relief.
With his formal arrest, investigators and the public alike are now waiting to see whether the CBI will uncover fresh links explaining who instructed Pankaj to take the pen drive, why it was formatted, and whether more evidence remains hidden.
Negi’s family has long alleged that he was under pressure to comply with unlawful directives at work, and that the truth of his last movements and communications could be revealed through the missing devices.
The arrest marks a turning point in a case that has remained shrouded in mystery and speculation since March.
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