IAS officer booked in mysterious death case of GM HPPCL

Himachalscape bureau Published: March 19, 2025 | Updated: March 22, 2025 3 minutes read

Shimla, March 19,

With mounting pressure on the administration following the shocking death of Vimal Negi, General Manager of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), an FIR has been lodged in the case, booking IAS officer Harikesh Meena, who was also removed from his post by the State government on Wednesday.

Negi’s death, allegedly due to extreme pressure and harassment from senior officials, has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state.

The FIR, registered at the New Shimla Police Station, was filed based on a complaint by Kiran Negi, the widow of the deceased engineer.

It accuses Harikesh Meena, the former Managing Director of HPPCL, and two other officials of abetment to suicide under Section 108 and 3(5) of BNS.

Negi’s family claims that he was under immense stress due to constant pressure from Meena and others to clear controversial files related to the Shongtong and Pekhu hydroelectric projects. This alleged harassment, they say, drove him to take his own life.

The incident has triggered massive protests outside the HPPCL office in Shimla, with Negi’s family, power corporation employees, and union leaders demanding justice.

Protesters have accused Meena and other officials of creating a toxic work environment and have called for a thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption and misconduct within the organization.

The protests have also taken a political turn, with slogans raised against Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and the state government for failing to address the issues within HPPCL.

Harikesh Meena, a 2010-batch IAS officer, has been a controversial figure throughout his career. During his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, he suspended seven patwaris within three months, drawing criticism for his heavy-handed approach.

As Director of Energy, he was accused of pushing a peon, Budhiram, to the brink of suicide due to workplace harassment. His tenure as MD of HPPCL was also marred by allegations of corruption, including a controversial letter that accused him of misconduct.

Facing intense public and political pressure, the state government removed Meena from the post of MD pending the investigation. However, the move has done little to quell the anger of protesters, who continue to demand accountability and justice for Vimal Negi.

The case has exposed deep-rooted issues within HPPCL and raised serious questions about governance and workplace culture in state-run organizations.

As the probe unfolds, the people of Himachal Pradesh await answers and hope for systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Himachalscape bureau

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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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