CBI probe ordered in HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi death case

The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer-cum-General Manager of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), after allowing a writ petition filed by his wife, Kiran Negi.

“Therefore, to give credence to the investigation so that the matter is investigated impartially, this Court allows this petition and directs that the investigation in the matter be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation by the State Police, which shall carry out investigation in the matter, in accordance with law, stated a 71 paged order by Himachal High court.

The order further noted, “In the course of conduct of said investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation shall ensure that no officer from the Himachal Pradesh Cadre shall be a part of the Special Investigation Team that may be constituted by it, for investigation.” Adding, ” This Court hopes and expects that the CBI shall carry out the investigation impartially and as expeditiously as possible. Petition stands disposed of accordingly, so also pending miscellaneous applications, if any”.

Pronouncing the verdict in open court, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel held that the ongoing probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), was riddled with inconsistencies and failed to inspire confidence. The court said that the affidavit submitted by Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma and the status report presented by the SIT revealed glaring gaps and raised legitimate suspicions over the fairness of the investigation.

“The investigation being conducted by the SIT is not heading in the right direction. The material brought before the court, including the affidavit by the DGP, suggests that the probe has failed to address key concerns raised by the family of the deceased. Their doubts are not unfounded and merit an impartial investigation by an independent agency,” the court observed.

The court directed that the CBI should take over the investigation with the condition that no officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, including IPS officers, be part of the new probe team. The move, the court said, was essential to ensure transparency and restore public confidence in the investigation process.

The verdict had been reserved for pronouncement on May 21 after three hours of detailed arguments between Advocate General Anoop Rattan, appearing for the state, and senior advocate R K Bawa, representing Kiran Negi. The petition had sought court intervention citing a biased and ineffective probe by the local police.

In a dramatic turn during the hearing, both the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary—who had been impleaded as parties by the petitioner—chose not to be represented through the Advocate General’s office. Instead, they submitted dissenting status reports directly to the court, raising several uncomfortable questions about the integrity and direction of the ongoing SIT investigation.

Vimal Negi was reported missing on March 8, 2025, under mysterious circumstances. His body was later recovered from Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur district on March 18. Amid growing public and family outrage over the handling of the case, a SIT was constituted on March 20. However, dissatisfaction with the progress led to mounting calls for a CBI investigation.

Earlier, Harikesh Meena, an official under scrutiny, was granted interim protection by the High Court, while another key figure, Drash Raj, secured relief from the Supreme Court.

With this order, the High Court has not only questioned the credibility of the state police’s probe but also sent a strong message that justice cannot be compromised.

The CBI would now begin its independent investigation into one of the most controversial and politically sensitive cases in recent times in Himachal Pradesh.