Himachal Pradesh High Court Transfers Vimal Negi Case to CBI Amid Investigation Concerns

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has intervened in the investigation of Vimal Negi's mysterious death, transferring the case to the CBI due to concerns over the local police's handling of evidence and procedural lapses. Vimal Negi, a Chief Engineer with HPPCL, was found dead in the Gobind Sagar Dam after going missing for ten days. His family has raised serious allegations of foul play, prompting the court's decision to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. The DGP's report highlighted significant issues within the local police, further complicating the case. This development raises questions about the integrity of the investigation and the pursuit of justice.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2025, 11:10 IST

High Court Steps In

Shimla: In a pivotal move, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has assigned the investigation of Vimal Negi's suspicious death to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The court's decision followed a petition from Kiran Negi, Vimal's wife, who expressed doubts about the ongoing investigation by the Shimla police.

Vimal Negi's body was discovered in the Gobind Sagar Dam in Bilaspur approximately ten days after he was reported missing from Shimla. While initial inquiries suggested suicide, his family disputed this conclusion, alleging foul play and inconsistencies in the investigation process.

Kiran Negi appealed to the Himachal Pradesh High Court for a CBI inquiry, citing concerns over potential evidence tampering and a perceived lack of impartiality from local law enforcement.

Concerns Raised by DGP

Himachal DGP Critiques Police Conduct

The affidavit submitted by Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma raised significant concerns regarding the actions of the Shimla police and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) involved in the case. The DGP's report pointed out procedural errors and inconsistencies, indicating that the investigation seemed biased towards concluding suicide rather than considering other avenues.

One alarming detail involved a pen drive found in Vimal Negi's pocket, which was reportedly kept by an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) instead of being submitted as evidence.

Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi later informed the high court that he discovered this mishandling and took action by suspending the officer responsible, further undermining the investigation's credibility.

Judicial Observations

Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, who presided over the case, noted that internal disputes between high-ranking officials, including the DGP and the Shimla SP, were obstructing justice. He stressed the importance of not only achieving justice but also ensuring it is perceived as fair. The judge remarked that the visible discord among officials could hinder the pursuit of justice and reserved the order after considering all arguments.

During the proceedings, Advocate Rajeev Roy, representing the petitioner, highlighted the conflicting reports from the DGP and the SP, suggesting a lack of cooperation in the investigation. Senior Advocate RK Bawa, also involved in the case, contended that crucial evidence had been either mishandled or inadequately preserved, raising valid concerns about the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

In light of the noted discrepancies, contradictions, and serious procedural failures, the Himachal High Court decided to transfer the investigation to the CBI.