Vimal Negi death case: Top bureaucrat, DGP and Shimla SP proceed on leave, CBI lodges FIR

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh additional chief secretary (Home), DGP, and Shimla superintendent of police have been asked to proceed on leave, days after the SP levelled serious allegations against the police chief in connection with the Vimal Negi death case, according to officials.

This came on a day when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR in the case and after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a meeting with top officials Tuesday evening.

Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, who headed the special investigation team (SIT) formed by the state government to probe the death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer Vimal Negi, recently held a press conference and accused DGP Atul Verma of filing a misleading status report questioning the SIT probe.

Verma subsequently wrote to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma, who had conducted a fact-finding inquiry into Negi's death, calling for the SP's suspension.

Verma, who is retiring on May 31, had submitted a status report in the Himachal Pradesh High Court in the Vimal Negi death case questioning the impartiality of the SIT probe.

Sukhu has expressed his displeasure over the ongoing tussle between Verma and Gandhi, and also with Sharma for bypassing the advocate general's office while submitting his fact-finding report.

On Monday, the CM told reporters that "indiscipline" from officers would not be tolerated.

Showcause notices may be issued to both DGP and SP for indiscipline. A committee is also likely to be constituted to inquire into the conduct of the two, the officials said.

Sukhu also met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday morning but he said that it was a courtesy call.

During the leave of the three officers, the state government has handed over charge of their posts to others.

Director General State (Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau) Ashok Tiwari will hold additional charge of DGP while Solan SP Gaurav Singh will hold additional charge of Shimla SP, according to official notifications issued here.

Additional Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant has been given additional charge of home, vigilance and revenue departments; Secretary Kadam Sandeep Vasat will hold additional charge of the Jal Shakti department; and Secretary Rakhil Kahlon will hold additional charge of the Tribal Development department. All these departments were previously with Sharma.

HPPCL chief engineer Negi went missing on March 10 and his body was found on March 18 in Bilapsur district under mysterious circumstances.

The case stirred a political storm in Himachal Pradesh, with the opposition BJP alleging a cover-up.

Negi's wife Kiran alleged that his seniors harassed him and demanded a CBI probe into his death. Family members protested by placing the engineer's body outside the HPPCL office in Shimla on March 19.

Later, HPPCL Director (Electrical) Deshraj and Managing Director Harikesh Meena were booked for abetment to suicide and joint criminal liability.

On Friday, the Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered that the case be transferred to the CBI.

On Tuesday, the CBI lodged an FIR in the case under sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 3 (5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the officials said.