Vimal Negi death case: BJP says CBI findings raise questions on state govt

Shimla: The BJP on Saturday stated that the CBI investigation into the death of Vimal Negi, a chief engineer in the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), raised serious questions about the functioning of the state govt.Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters here, the party's state general secretary Sanjeev Katwal said that details emerging in the public domain from the CBI chargesheet filed in a special CBI court in Shimla recently "have shaken the entire state".The TOI, through its news reports published on June 4 and 5, highlighted that the CBI probe had linked Negi's death to harassment and pressure from superior officers — then managing director Harikesh Meena (IAS) and director (electrical) Desh Raj — regarding the Rs 220 crore Pekhubela Solar Power Project in Una district."Under pressure", Negi allegedly ended his life in March last year.The CBI chargesheet highlighted an undue favour of Rs 12.73 crore to the contractor of the Pekhubela solar power project, allegedly under pressure from Meena and Raj. Negi went missing from Shimla on March 10 last year, and his body was recovered on March 18 from the Satluj river in Bilaspur.Katwal said allegations regarding the issuance of fake completion certificates, manipulation of official records and decisions taken in violation of established procedures raised concerns about the credibility of the administrative system.If certificates were issued despite discrepancies and officers were pressured or sidelined for raising objections, the matter warrants complete transparency, he added.The BJP questioned under whose protection such alleged irregularities continued and demanded answers from the Congress govt in the state. Katwal said the case went beyond an individual tragedy and highlighted issues of accountability, transparency and governance.He reiterated the BJP's demand for a fair, impartial and comprehensive probe and strict action against those found responsible.MSID:: 131553579 413 |