High Court extends interim relief to IAS officer in Vimal Negi death case; CBI now leads probe -

Shimla, May 30,

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The Himachal Pradesh High Court extended the interim protection earlier granted to IAS officer Harikesh Meena in connection with the ongoing investigation into the mysterious death of Vimal Negi.

This development came during the hearing of Meena’s bail plea, where the court acknowledged that the case had recently been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The case has been in the public spotlight since March, when Vimal Negi, an employee of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), went missing from his office on March 10. His body was discovered eight days later in the Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur by a local fisherman.

Initially, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was looking into the matter. However, in a ruling dated 23.5.25, the High Court directed that the investigation be handed over to the CBI, citing the sensitive nature of the case and the need for an independent probe.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Senior Advocate N.S. Chandel, assisted by Advocate Vinod K. Gupta, represented Harikesh Meena. A status report submitted by the State confirmed the formal transfer of the investigation to the CBI. In response, the court allowed the accused to file a fresh application in view of the new investigative authority.

Advocate Janesh Mahajan, representing the CBI, waived the need for formal service of notice.

Justice Virender Singh, who presided over the matter, scheduled the next hearing for June 5, 2025, and clarified that the interim relief granted to Meena would remain in effect until further directions are issued.

The deceased’s wife, Kiran Negi, has named several senior officials of HPPCL—including Managing Director Harikesh Meena, Additional General Manager Shivam Pratap Singh, and Director (Electrical) Desh Raj—in her complaint. She alleges that their actions led to her husband’s death and has sought justice under charges of abetment to suicide.

As the CBI steps in, the case is likely to undergo a fresh round of scrutiny under national investigative procedures.

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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