Photo source: Internet
Shimla, Oct 6 ,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has reportedly extended interim protection from arrest to IAS officer and Director of Sports, Harikesh Meena, in connection with the ongoing probe into the death of Vimal Negi. The next hearing on his bail plea is scheduled for October 9.
A single bench of Justice Virender Singh is stated to have heard two bail applications—one moved by Meena and another by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pankaj Kumar of Shimla Sadar Police Station. Meena appeared in person, assisted by senior advocate N.S. Chandel and advocate Ashok Kumar. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was represented by advocate Janesh Mahajan, assisted by DySP B.P. Singh.
Advocate General Anup Rattan, along with Additional Advocate Generals H.S. Rawat and Mohinder Zharaick, and Deputy Advocate Generals Swadi Driak and Rohit Sharma, reportedly represented the State. Senior advocate R.K. Bawa, assisted by advocates Vivekanand and Chaman Negi, appeared for the complainant.
It was informed that the CBI has filed its reply in the matter, and the court has listed the case for further hearing on October 9, continuing Meena’s interim protection till then.
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In the related matter, the court has reportedly deferred hearing on the bail plea of ASI Pankaj Kumar—who is accused of tampering with electronic evidence in the case—until October 13. He will remain in judicial custody till the next date.
It has also been learnt that former HPPCL Managing Director-cum-Chief Engineer Desh Raj and another officer, Shivam Partap, who have been named by the deceased’s wife in her complaint, have not been taken into custody so far, and the CBI has not pressed for their arrest at this stage.
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