Additional Chief Secretary to probe Chief Engineer’s death

Even as the family and relatives of deceased Chief Engineer Vimal Negi remained adamant on their demand for suspension of top officials of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (HPPCL), the state government ordered an inquiry by Onkar Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary into the circumstances leading to his death.

The atmosphere remained charged with family members, relatives, friends and employees camping on the road outside the office of HPPCL in New Shimla, demanding a CBI inquiry and suspension of top administration of HPPCL.

Even after Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary (Power) ordered the inquiry by ACS within 15 days, the family refused to lift the body for cremation. They said the body will be lifted only once Harikesh Meena (MD) and Desh Raj, Director (Electrical) are suspended.

Negi went missing on March 10 and was last spotted in CCTV cameras leaving for Bilaspur in a taxi from the Lift. His body was yesterday found in Gobindsagar and after post mortem at AIIMS, Bilaspur brought here today. His body was kept outside the office of HPPCL office in New Shimla.

“There are allegations that he (Negi) was under pressure in his organisation. The issue was raised in the Vidhan Sabha, media and representation to the same effect has been received from employees of HPPCL. While police is inquiring into the matter, it is necessary to go deeper into the issues regarding allegations against the management of HPPCL,” the inquiry order said.

The order says that ACS will associate family members, employees and anybody else who wishes to his inputs and submit his inquiry within 15 days from today. It is also pointed out that to ensure the credibility of inquiry, both Meena and Desh Raj will not attend their duties in the HPPCL till further orders.

Rakesh Prajapati, IAS, has been given the charge of MD, HPPCL till further orders and Surinder Kumar, Director (Civil) will hold charge of Director (Electrical) till further orders.