Shimla, Sept 5,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday intervened in the matter of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pankaj Sharma, who has alleged violation of his personal liberty in connection with the controversial death of police recruit Vimal Negi. Taking serious note of claims that Sharma has been kept under illegal confinement, a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma directed the State to produce him before the Court the same afternoon.
Take Free HimachalScape Subscription Complete this form
Choose Your Membership
The order came during the hearing of a petition filed by Sharma’s wife, Manjana Sharma, who pleaded that her husband had been “forcibly lodged in the Police Guest House at Kaithu” and was not even permitted to reside in his allotted government accommodation at Bharari. She sought his release from what she termed unlawful custody and an end to the “mounted surveillance” around him.
Also read: https://himachalscape.com/asi-pankaj-challenges-infringement-of-personal-liberty-in-vimal-negi-death-case-cbi-made-party-in-hp-high-court/
The Bench observed that the controversy required immediate judicial clarity. “Keeping in view the controversy, as such, and to clear the air’s, we direct the counsel for the State to produce ASI Pankaj Sharma before this Court at 2:00 p.m.,” the Chief Justice remarked in the order.
Notably, this was not the first time Sharma had knocked on the Court’s door. On August 20, 2025, he had filed CWP No.11859 of 2025, alleging that he had been coerced and confined at the Kaithu guest house. The Court had issued directions in that matter as well, but the latest petition indicates that the alleged restrictions on his movement and liberty continued.
Sharma’s case has drawn wider attention because of his role in the unfolding investigation into the death of HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi. The matter earlier investigated by the State police was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency has since been made a party to the proceedings in the High Court to ensure an impartial inquiry.
During Friday’s hearing, the Bench noted the seriousness of the allegations placed before it by Sharma’s wife. Chief Justice Sandhawalia, while dictating the order, underlined that the Court could not allow such claims to remain unresolved. “The issue strikes at the core of personal liberty. The State must satisfy the Court whether there exists any lawful authority to restrict the movements of a serving police officer in this manner,” the Bench remarked.
The court fixed October 10 as the next date for compliance, while reserving its detailed order.
Deputy Advocate General Sidharth Jalta appeared for the State, while senior counsels Rajiv Rai and Janesh Mahajan represented the petitioner and other respondents, respectively.
