Govt will ensure free, fair probe into Chief Engineer Negi’s death: Dy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Saturday assured that a free and impartial inquiry will be held into the death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer, Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), stating that everyone is deeply hurt and saddened by his demise.

Responding to a demand by Naina Devi MLA Randhri Sharma during the Zero Hour, that the name of the IAS officer against whom allegations have been levelled must be mentioned in the FIR registered in the death of the chief engineer, Agnihotri assured, “Any names that crop up during the course of investigation will be added so there should not be any doubt on that account.”

Randhir Sharma said the name of one IAS officer is not mentioned in the FIR. “The name of the IAS officer must be mentioned in the FIR as it should be by name, since officers keep changing on transfer. Moreover, when the FIR was registered, the said IAS had already been shifted out, so his name must be added in the FIR,” Sharma demanded.

The BJP legislator also sought details on the demand for handing over the case to the CBI. “A social media post by a police officer on a high-ranking police official causing anxiety and stress to his employees is going viral. Has the government taken note of it?” said Sharma.

An FIR has been registered at the New Shimla police station against three officials, including two IAS officers, based on the complaint of Vimal Negi’s family.

Negi went missing on March 10 and his body was found a week later in the Gobindsagar dam in Bilaspur.