Minister accuses CBI of ‘inaction’ in Negi case

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi today accused the CBI of inaction in the case of Vimal Negi’s death.

“What’s the CBI doing? How many months have gone by? Is it a rocket science to find out how someone was pushed to commit suicide? Why they have not been able to prove it?” the Revenue Minister said when he was asked about the revocation of the suspension of the official named in the FIR in the Vimal Negi’s death.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had handed over the case to the CBI from the state police on May 23. Negi’s body was found from the Gobindsagar Lake in Bilaspur on March 18, following which the family had levelled allegations of harassment against Negi’s higher-ups at Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited.

The minister further claimed that the state was investigating the case better than the CBI. “The officials were suspended and transferred out from the department. A Special Investigation Team was formed and high-powered committee was also constituted to look into it,” said Negi. “The BJP, however, kept harping on the CBI inquiry, the matter went to the court. Now, it’s for the CBI to probe the matter,” he said.

As for revoking the suspension of the officials named in the FIR, the minister said that further action can’t be taken against them until they are proven guilty. “There’s a time period till which they can be suspended. After that period, they have to be reinstated, otherwise they have the right to move the court,” said Negi.

He further said that both the officials have been transferred out from the HPPCL, and have been given lower posts than they were holding.