Vimal Negi death case: Supreme Court makes Interim Relief absolute for HPPCL Director Desh Raj
New Delhi/ Shimla, Nov 17,
In a significant development in the Vimal Negi death-related investigation, the Supreme Court on Monday made absolute the interim protection earlier granted to Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Director (Electrical) Desh Raj, paving the way for his release on bail upon arrest or surrender.
The matter was heard by a two-judge Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, which passed the order after perusing a sealed-cover report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
During the hearing, Justice Amanullah, speaking for the Bench, recorded,“ We have gone through [the sealed-cover report]. We do not wish to comment on the same as the investigation is still proceeding. However, we find that the petitioner now having cooperated with the investigation, in the facts and circumstances of this case, the interim order requires to be made absolute.”
The Bench had, in an earlier hearing, directed the CBI to submit its status report. On Monday, Additional Solicitor General S.D. Sanjay handed over the sealed-cover report to the court, which, after examination, was returned without remarks.
Making its interim protection permanent, the Supreme Court directed that in the event of arrest or surrender before the trial court within three weeks, Desh Raj shall be released on bail, subject to the conditions set by the concerned court.
The Bench also underscored that continued cooperation with the investigation and trial was mandatory. “Any violation… would be a ground for cancellation of his bail,” the court said.
The Special Leave Petition filed by Desh Raj challenging the High Court’s rejection of his anticipatory bail has now been formally disposed of.
This order comes amid the ongoing probe into the death of HPPCL General Manager Vimal Negi, whose wife has accused senior corporation officials of harassment leading to his alleged suicide. The matter remains under active investigation by the SIT and CBI.
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