Human right to travel abroad: HC allows Vimal Negi case accused Harikesh Meena to visit Japan -

Shimla, July 27

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Holding that the right to travel abroad is an important basic human right, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has allowed Harikesh Meena, an accused in the CBI-investigated Vimal Negi death case, to visit Japan from July 25 to August 1 for an official programme sponsored by the Union Government.

Justice Virender Singh relaxed a bail condition that restrained Meena from leaving India without prior permission of the court and permitted him to undertake the official visit after furnishing a bail bond of Rs five lakh with one surety of the like amount before the Special Judge (CBI), Shimla.

Meena, who was serving as the Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) at the time of Vimal Negi’s death, informed the court that he had been nominated by the Union Ministry for the “Invitation Programme to Japan for Enhancing Worker-Level Human Resource Development and Skilling and Employment Policies” scheduled from July 25 to August 1. He sought relaxation of the travel restriction imposed while granting him bail on December 24, 2025.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the application. However, the High Court observed that the Supreme Court has consistently held that no person can be deprived of the right to travel abroad except in accordance with a fair, just and reasonable procedure established by law.

Quoting the landmark judgment in Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India (1978), the court observed that no person can be deprived of the right to go abroad unless there is a law prescribing such a procedure.

Relying upon Satish Chandra Verma vs Union of India (2019), the court further noted that “the right to travel abroad is an important basic human right” as it enhances individual freedom, experience and personal life.

The court also referred to the Supreme Court judgment in Parvez Noordin Lokhandwalia vs State of Maharashtra (2020) before allowing the application.

The court directed Meena to return to India and appear before the Special Judge (CBI), Shimla, on August 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. It also restricted his visit to Japan alone and ordered that all other bail conditions imposed earlier would continue to remain in force.

The Vimal Negi case has remained one of the most closely watched investigations in Himachal Pradesh. Negi’s death, initially reported as a suspected suicide, was later handed over to the CBI following widespread public concern and demands for an independent probe.

According to the CBI’s investigation and charge sheet, Negi was allegedly subjected to sustained official pressure and harassment. The agency has alleged that he was pressured to clear payments to firms executing a solar power project despite alleged violations of contractual provisions and tender conditions.

The CBI has named Harikesh Meena, Desh Raj and other officials as accused, alleging their role in the circumstances that, according to the prosecution, led to Negi’s death.

The accused have denied the allegations, and the criminal case is pending trial before the Special Judge (CBI), Shimla.

Meena has since been relieved to serve on deputation under the Union Government. His nomination for the official programme in Japan formed the basis of the application seeking temporary relaxation of the condition restraining him from travelling abroad.

The High Court clarified that its order concerns only permission to travel and does not affect the merits of the pending criminal proceedings.