Himachal Pradesh High Court Orders CBI Investigation into Engineer's Mysterious Death

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has mandated a CBI investigation into the suspicious death of Vimal Negi, a Chief Engineer at HPPC. Found dead in a lake, Negi's wife claims he faced harassment from senior officials prior to his disappearance. The court's decision comes amid concerns over the integrity of the initial police investigation, highlighting the need for a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death. This case has drawn significant attention, with former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur expressing support for the court's ruling.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 24, 2025, 11:59 IST

CBI Investigation Ordered for Engineer's Death

The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into the death of Vimal Negi, the Chief Engineer of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPC), on Friday.

Negi's body was discovered under mysterious circumstances in a lake on March 18. A single bench led by Justice Ajay Goyal had reserved its decision on the matter earlier this week.

Justice Goyal accepted a petition filed by Negi's wife, ordering the case to be handed over to the CBI. The bench stated, 'This court believes that there are extraordinary circumstances in this case, necessitating a CBI investigation, as the Director General of Police expressed serious concerns regarding the methods and procedures of the ongoing investigation.'

Negi had gone missing on March 10, with his body found eight days later. His wife alleged that for the past six months, senior officials had been harassing and mistreating him. She further claimed that he was forced to work late into the night despite being unwell.

During the hearing on Wednesday, DGP Atul Verma raised questions about the impartiality of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). However, Advocate General Anup Ratan defended the SIT's investigation, asserting that it was being conducted fairly and without bias. Former Chief Minister and opposition leader Jairam Thakur welcomed the court's decision.