Vimal Negi death case: Himachal High Court confirms bail to IAS Officer Harikash Meena
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Shimla, Dec 24,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to IAS officer Harikash Meena, one of the accused in the alleged abetment to suicide case linked to the death of Vimal Negi, a senior officer of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL).
A single bench of Justice Virender Singh confirmed Meena’s bail while pronouncing the order on his application, which had earlier been reserved. Making the interim protection absolute, the court held that “no useful purpose would be served by dismissing the present application, which would result into the judicial custody of the applicant.”
The court directed that Meena be released on bail in the event of arrest on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount, subject to strict conditions. These include mandatory cooperation with the investigation, a bar on leaving the country without court permission, and a prohibition on influencing witnesses. The court made it clear that “any of the observations made hereinabove shall not be taken as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.”
The case arises from the death of Vimal Negi, then Chief Engineer with Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, who went missing from the corporation’s New Shimla office in March this year. His body was later recovered from Bhakra Dam, following which his wife alleged sustained mental harassment and workplace pressure by senior officers, leading to registration of FIR No. 9 of 2025 under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
During the hearing, the court noted that allegations against Meena were broadly similar to those levelled against co-accused Desh Raj, who has already been granted bail by the Supreme Court. The bench observed that the prosecution “could not satisfy the judicial conscience of this Court as to how the alleged acts were directly linked to the suicide,” adding that custodial interrogation alone cannot be a ground to deny bail when material evidence has already been seized.
Also read:<Supreme Court defers hearing in HPPCL GM Vimal Negi death case, Bail protection for Des Raj extended/p>
The High Court also reiterated settled legal principles governing abetment to suicide, quoting Supreme Court precedents to underline that “mere allegation of harassment without any positive action proximate to the time of occurrence is not sufficient to constitute abetment.”
Amid concerns over the fairness of the initial probe, the investigation was earlier transferred from the state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The High Court has repeatedly clarified in connected proceedings that the investigation is being conducted exclusively by the CBI and that the agency alone is responsible for filing status reports.
It is pertinent to note that Meena was removed from his post as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of HPPCL immediately after the FIR was registered. He was later posted by the Congress-led state government as Director, Youth Services and Sports, a move that had also drawn public scrutiny.
The High Court has expressly left liberty with the CBI to seek cancellation of bail in case of any violation of conditions. The Vimal Negi death case continues to draw significant public and legal attention, with parallel proceedings before constitutional courts and close judicial scrutiny of the ongoing investigation.
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