CBI Interrogates Himachal Police Officials in Vimal Negi Case

Investigation into Vimal Negi's Death Intensifies

Shimla: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is delving deeper into the enigmatic death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi by questioning five members of the previous Himachal Pradesh Police special investigation team (SIT) that initially handled the case before it was transferred to the CBI by the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

The SIT officials were called to the CBI office at approximately 11:30 AM and were interrogated until around 3:45 PM. Sources indicate that the CBI conducted separate interviews with each of the five officials to clarify the timeline of events and the measures taken during the preliminary investigation. Additional rounds of questioning are anticipated.

Prior to the CBI's involvement, the police SIT had confiscated mobile devices from seven engineers and staff members of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). The CBI has since dispatched these devices to New Delhi for forensic examination.

In a significant development, the CBI has requested the original 25,000-page documentation from HPPCL concerning Vimal Negi’s employment and projects. While the police SIT had previously obtained only photocopies, the CBI has insisted on receiving the original documents within a two-day timeframe.

The agency has also summoned members of the Power Corporation’s Engineers’ Association for questioning. This association had protested outside Negi’s office following the discovery of his body and had publicly accused senior officials of harassment. The CBI aims to record their testimonies as part of its comprehensive evidence-gathering efforts.

Investigating Allegations of Mental Harassment

The CBI is preparing to call in officers and employees identified in an administrative inquiry led by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma. This inquiry was initiated by the state government prior to the case being handed over to the CBI.

CBI sources have confirmed that individuals accused of applying mental pressure on Negi, a factor believed to be connected to his death, will be interrogated. The agency has already taken statements from Vimal Negi’s wife and brother on two separate occasions.

In addition to field investigations, the CBI is meticulously reviewing the administrative inquiry report, an affidavit from a former Director General of Police, and the status report from the police SIT to strengthen its case. Vimal Negi was discovered dead under suspicious circumstances, with allegations of workplace harassment and institutional pressure casting a pall over the state’s power corporation, prompting the High Court to intervene and assign the investigation to the CBI.